Wooo! There she is! Wanted to give a day for Amy to hang out in Twinkle Park. My goal was to have it look like she was doing one of those hammer-based strength challenges (and, of course, doing fantastic.) Only Shadow left now! Tails / Sonic / Knuckles / Rouge / Omega / Big/ Cream and Cheese

Sprites from MFZ.Gif

Made at EZGif

                A/F: NEW STORY ALERT!! The updates will be sparse because I’m starting school and I’m taking an inordinate amount of credits AND I got a new job at Disneyland. But I’ll make sure each of the updates is worth the wait. Secondly, this chapter will take place a few days before the preview I put out (if you read it). I’m still debating about actually putting that chunk in a chapter, I might just refer to the situation rather than put it in. We will see. So from here on out, enjoy!

Forever yours magically, Emily

“Daddy, I’m sorry to interrupt but can you pass the salad please?”

                “Of course sweet pea,” Dad grinned, flicking his wand and making the large wooden bowl of salad float to our end of the table. Audrey smiled and hefted some onto her plate. I gave her a small look and took a big bite of the meat on my plate making her grimace. I loved teasing the vegetarian. Dad turned back to our lunch guest and eyed him appreciatively.  

                “So—I was telling Mario Talbert that his take on the last treaty between us and the Muggle President was simply genius. I enjoyed the information that he delved to the public. It was the perfect balance between what we want to keep to ourselves and what everyone needs to know. Great direction there, sir,” Walker, The Head of Magical Cooperation, chirped before taking a big gulp of the wine sitting before him. I sighed and picked at the chicken on my plate. It was growing cold but this was so boring. I hate it when Dad’s peoples come to lunch.

                “Thank you very much, David. I did put some work with it. But I didn’t invite you to lunch to speak business. I invited you to enjoy yourself after all that hard work you did on the treaty,” Dad coughed, eyeing the man sagely. I resisted an eye roll. Walks was the biggest suck-up I’ve ever seen. It was like his lips were permanently attached to Dad’s ass.

                “Right, of course. Of course,” Walker announced, jumping to agreement almost before the words came out of Dad’s mouth.

                “Audrey—you just finished your potions essay, didn’t you?” Dad questioned, turning towards us. Audrey perked up considerably at the opportunity to brag about herself and beamed.

                “Yeah—I did! It was completely fascinating! It was all about antidotes to poisons. I actually attempted to brew a solution earlier today. It’s resting right now but I think it’ll turn out alright,” she blathered on. I actually rolled my eyes then. Oh for Merlin’s sake—I take it back, Audrey (my younger sister) was more of a suck up than Walker was. Walker had a reason to suck-up—Audrey just did it for the hell of it. She already had Dad’s approval, why try so hard?

                “That’s fantastic, dear! And what about you Addison, how’s your summer work coming along?” Dad questioned finally shifting his gaze from Audrey and eyeing me. I sat up from where I was slouched in the chair and put on a falsely bright smile.

                “Oh completely spiffing Father-dearest!” I started, temporarily ignoring the use of my full name. “I can’t believe how stimulating the curriculum is for my History class! In fact, I managed to pull one of Walker’s reports from his briefcase and use it as research! But I think I accidentally left an old magazine quiz in there. Oh don’t worry—it was only the rating of one’s blow job skills and I definitely learned something far more important than that from the report.” I chirped, eyeing Walker out of the corner of my eyes. He froze for a second and looked at me with an alarmed look.

                “Addison,” Dad sighed, raising a palm over his eyes.

                “What report?” Walker questioned at the same time.

                “The one that was just being sent out. It wasn’t important, was it? I left the report in there and I’m sure whoever is receiving it won’t care about that silly old quiz,” I gasped, my eyes wide. “Unless someone assumes it was your quiz! Although I’m sure there have already been whispers of that sort.”

                “You what?! That was going to the Muggle President! It was the final documents for signature!” Walker exclaimed, dashing from the table and out of the room.

                “Oh blast! I just remembered I doodled your name on top of the quiz as well! Looks like they’ll definitely think what they want here, Walks!” I shouted after him, dissolving into snickers.

                “Addison!” Dad snapped, his voice sharp now that the company was gone from the table. I turned back to him and gave him an innocent look. Audrey was gaping at me with her jaw slightly open. Dad’s ice blue eyes flashed angrily as he threw his napkin over his plate and I felt my eyes (of completely identical color) react in the same manner.

                “I thought I requested you not use that name in my presence, Daddy. How many times do I have to tell you that that name is despicable and I much more prefer Adder,” I sighed, sticking out my bottom lip a little.

                “I’ll call you what I please! I can’t believe you did that! You probably just ruined six months of work,” Dad roared, standing now. His face was a rather familiar shade of red—probably familiar because I was so used to it being directed at me.

                “Oh relax Pops. I was only joking. I didn’t actually leave evidence to Walker’s homosexuality for the Muggle President to find,” I sighed, rolling my eyes and flicking some hair out of my face. Dad’s face went from bright red to a less violent shade as he sat down again.

                “Minnie!” he shouted. There was a large crack as the tiny House Elf arrived in the dining room. She was flattening the bottom of her crisp white pillow case uniform. It was belted around the middle with a length of gold chord making the bottom half flare out like a party dress.

                “Yes Master?” she squeaked, fluttering her foot long eyelashes at him.

                “Addison is finished with her lunch. Don’t do anything for her—she will be in her room. And thank you very much for lunch—it was delicious,” Dad announced in a level tone of voice. I shrugged and stood, dropping my fork onto the glass plate with a clatter. Like I cared—I wasn’t hungry anyways. Minnie turned her tennis ball eyes on me and gave a little squeak before taking my plate and scurrying back to the kitchen.

                “Go to your room and give me your wand,” Dad ordered. I froze. Like I was actually going to give him my wand without some sort of argument.

                “Sorry, I lost my wand,” I shrugged. Dad hefted another sigh and flicked his own wand at me but I dodged the disarming spell easily. He’s just so predictable. “You really should use such magic on your offspring—it could damage my psyche. I’m absolutely certain it’s abuse in some way as well—shall I bring it to Perkins in the Misuse of Magic Offices?”

                “Don’t test me, dear. Just go to your room Addison. I’m putting a spell on the house so you can’t leave. I’ll speak to you when I get back from the office tonight and I’ll know if you do magic so don’t,” Dad sighed. He was rubbing his eyes with his thumbs, making his small square glasses rise up onto his forehead in the process.

                “Well fine then—it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been put on house arrest.” I sang, giving Dad a mocking salute and sauntering down the hall to my room. I flopped face first on my bed. It was unmade—as always, considering Minnie was forbidden to clean it each and every day as I got in trouble. It’s not like I ever really cared. I preferred it this way, really.

My plush bed held a canopy of gauzy black material strung around four spindly wrought-iron posts.  I’d conjured some twinkling white lights and wound them around the curls in the headboard. The walls were covered in embossed wall paper (originally light blue but charmed a burgundy a few years ago) and the floor was dark wood (not that I could actually see the floor since it was completely covered in piles of clothes, books, my school trunk, piles and piles of magazines, and such). I hefted a sigh and sat up, running my fingers through my hair before grabbing a magazine from the floor. I was currently halfway through it when my sister started shouting my name.

                “ADDIE! HAVE YOU SEEN MY PINK SWEATER!? I CAN’T FIND IT ANYWHERE!”

                I promptly ignored her, flipping casually through the glossy pages of the magazine.

                “ADDIEEEEEEEE! I CAN’T FIND IT! LIKE FOR REAL! WHERE’S MY SWEATER?!”

                I flicked my wand at my bedroom door and it slammed shut, blocking out my little sister’s whining by a few decibels.

                “SERIOUSLY! IT’S NOT IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM! IT’S NOT IN MY ROOM! WHERE IS IT?! DID MINNIE PUT IT IN YOUR ROOM?!”

                I shot a silencing charm at the door and the noise stopped completely. I grinned to myself and rolled on my back, holding the magazine over my face so I could read it. I flipped the pages slowly, turning it this way and that so I could look at the brightly colored clothes on the inside. My door slammed open and I dropped the magazine on my face in surprise.

                “A silencing charm?! Really?!” Audrey questioned, folding her arms over her chest. Damn, I didn’t lock the door.

                “You’re annoying,” I snorted, rubbing my nose where the spine hit it. “Now leave before I hex you.”                 “You’re not allowed to do magic. You’re not seventeen yet. Plus Dad just told you not to like not five minutes ago,” Audrey sighed. I rolled my eyes and rolled my wand between my palms.

                “Since when has that ever stopped me? It’s not like I’m going to get in real trouble. You should loosen up a bit. Maybe try a summoning charm to find that precious sweater of yours,” I sneered. Audrey’s eyes narrowed at me and she stalked over to my dresser, yanking the drawer open.

                “You know, every time you do magic Daddy gets in trouble,” she sighed, riffling through my messy drawers.

                “Right. Everyone is sooo going to challenge the Minister of Magic. He’s not going to lose his job for his daughter being who she’s supposed to be, magical. Just because I do things the convenient way doesn’t mean I should change because of my age. Plus I’ll be seventeen in October. Live a little, twerp.”

                “Really, can you just not be such a surly brat for two seconds of your life Addie,” Audrey sighed, planting a hand on her hip and turning to face me. I raised my eyebrows at her.

                “Accio pink sweater.”

                She huffed and slammed the drawer closed.

                “Sometimes I wonder if I’m really the older one! You don’t listen to anything and all you ever do is cause problems,” she snapped as the sweater came hurtling into the room. It draped itself over her face and she ripped it off.

                “Like that color would even be able to survive in my drawers, the black would swallow it whole. Now get out of here before I hang you over the fireplace with a permanent sticking charm.”

                Audrey froze and pulled at her fingers. I sighed and lowered my magazine, eyeing her expectantly. She was going to say something and she wouldn’t leave until I made my threats real, which I was internally debating on. It’s not like I haven’t done it before, just haven’t done the stuck to the fireplace route. I’m actually quite proud of myself for the ingenious of the idea. 

                “I need some advice and since you’re the only one here, it’s going to have to be you,” she sighed, plopping down onto the edge of my bed. I knitted my brows. I’m not really one to give advice in the first place. “Trust me, I tried fire-calling Mrs. Stevens, but she was off with the new family she’s nannying for. I don’t want to ask you, but I’m desperate.”

                “What do I get for being your savior?” I questioned, raising one eyebrow. She was right—without our childhood nanny Mrs. Stevens around, Audrey currently had to deal with me for any such advice. That doesn’t mean I was going disclose information without milking Audrey for something that will benefit me as well.

                “Next time you sneak out, I’ll actually cover for you,” Audrey deadpanned. That might be too alluring to pass up. Audrey was the biggest snitch in the whole wide world.

                “Alright, but you have to unbreakable vow on that one,” I grinned. Audrey rolled her eyes.

                “As if that would happen. You’ll just have to take my word for it,” she snorted. I pouted and scooted against my headboard, eyeing the thirteen year old critically.

                “Right, so I know you’ve had plenty of experience with this. But—I’m going out to a unicorn ranch tonight and Kyle Collins is going to be there. I really, really like him and I don’t know what to do! I just end up acting all awkward around him and making a complete fool of myself,” she spouted off, looking up at me with big eyes. First of all the whole situation was ridiculous.

                “What the hell are guys going to a unicorn ranch for? They can’t get anywhere near them in the first place,” I snorted.

                “That’s beside the point! What do I do?! Do I talk to him? Ask about his life?” she questioned, bouncing slightly.

                “You ignore him,” I shrugged. Audrey blinked at me.

                “Ignore him?”

                “Yeah. Act like he doesn’t exist and then suddenly you walk by, give him a compliment, maybe slightly brush your body against his and then go back to ignoring him,” I ordered but then paused when I looked at her. “On second thought, forget about the body brush. Your lack of curves is a turn off.”

                “I have curves!” Audrey exclaimed, looking down at her chest.

                “Audrey you’re thirteen. You have as many curves as a plank of wood,” I laughed, picking up my magazine again. Audrey huffed.

                “You’re advice is ridiculous. How will he ever know who I am if I ignore him?”

                “You can take it or you can leave it, now get out. Oh and think about who you’ve asked. I can get any guy I want to with just a bat of my eyelashes. But go ahead and don’t listen to me,” I sighed. Audrey let out a peal of laughter.

                “Addison Ryan, I think if your head was any more inflated, you’d be lucky not to float away,” Audrey exclaimed, standing and crossing her arms over her chest. I raised my eyebrows at her and fingered my wand. Audrey’s eyes widened as I tossed my magazine aside. She just broke one of the cardinal rules of the house. Don’t ever call me Addison. I can hardly tolerate Addie as it is.

                “I’d run twerp, unless you want to be a new decoration in the foyer,” I growled and she scampered. I looked around my room. There were clothes heaped in plies everywhere and my curtains were permanently drawn, giving the light in the room a tinged redness. Merlin I was bored. I sighed and examined my nails. There wasn’t much to do, even when one has the countries resources in her hands. I got up and exited my room, wandering down the long hallway. I ran my fingertips along the fabric lower half of the walls, feeling the grooves and swoops of each individual embroidered curly-cue. The narrow hallway was lined with pictures. I paused and looked up at one absentmindedly. The figure grinned down at me from behind the framed glass.

                Her eyes were bright and coal colored with sweeping black hair that was thick and pin straight falling into her long lashes. Everything about her towering figure seemed to glow, even down to her bronze skin. I felt my blood boil at her face. She was just smiling at me with perfect white teeth, a dimple exposed on one side of her cheek. I gave an angry jab of my wand and the glass shattered, cracking in a dangerous spider web. The person in the picture gave a silent scream—only portraits could talk. I was grateful for this, really. It was bad enough merely looking at it. I don’t know why Dad kept this picture hung—especially with the many times I’ve destroyed it.

                I walked further down the hall and paused as it opened up into the living room. I stared at the figure in front of me. Same towering frame, same pin straight black hair, same bronze skin, but with piercing ice blue eyes. I jabbed my wand at the mirror causing it to mimic the picture—its fissures winding all the way to the edges.

I cocked my head to the side and repaired the mirror with a swish of my wand. I carefully tapped the crown of my head and my hair turned from jet black to ice blonde, I frowned and repeated it making it chestnut, a honey blonde and then finally fire red. Biting my lip, I fingered a lock of the new hair. It was alright, certainly better than before. I twisted the wand slightly making the color less crayon like and huskier; its better. Far better than before. I gave my reflection a slight nod and wandered into the kitchen.

Minnie was bustling around the stove, hovering pots and pans, the sink washing on its own accord. I flicked my wand at the pot she was holding—it was larger than her and looked to be filled with scalding liquid. She squeaked in surprise as I made it land gently on the burner.

“It looked heavy, Min,” I shrugged, giving her a small smile.

“Miss shant be doing magic. Master says so,” Minnie scolded. I shrugged and flicked my wand at the carrots she started to chop. They began to chop themselves. She gave an indignant squeak again and moved to the potatoes. “Miss!”

“I’m just trying to help you Min. I feel bad that you made me lunch and I didn’t even eat it,” I replied, twirling my hair around my fingers.

“Minnie is very much happy that Miss wishes to help but Master said you shant,” Minnie growled. I held up my hands innocently and grabbed an apple from the bowl on the center of the island.

“Minnie—you know you don’t have to call me Miss, right?” I questioned quietly. Minnie rolled her tennis ball eyes at me and I grinned. I was the only member of the family she sassed. It was refreshing and I knew it wasn’t out of disobedience or dislike but comfort with me. Minnie has always been there. The fireplace flared suddenly and the rotund form of Mrs. Stevens spilled into the kitchen.

“Oh hello Minnie—stew tonight? Smells delicious. Does that mean Audrey won’t be joining the family for dinner?” she questioned, sniffing at the pot of broth.

“Nope—she’s going to a Unicorn farm,” I declared, discord coating my words. It sounded like a horrific outing. Unicorns may be beautiful but it’s not like they really did anything.

“Oh! Adder! I didn’t see you there,” Mrs. Stevens exclaimed, putting a hand to her heart.

“How could you not? I changed my hair to the color of a brush fire,” I snorted, grinning at her. She was the only one that always called me by what I requested. It worked with Princess Pinklewinkle when I was five and Adder now. Audrey kept with it pretty well but mostly stuck with Addie and Dad—well Dad absolutely refused.

“I can see that. And as lovely as it looks your father isn’t going to let you keep it that way,” she sighed. I frowned and took a bite of my apple—chewing contemplatively.

“I don’t see why not. It’s just hair,” I sighed.

“You know why,” Mrs. Steven tutted. She ran a friendly hand over the top of my head and I gave her a slight smile. “Now what’d you do that your Dad asked me to come over and keep an eye on you?”

“I might have told Walker that I slipped a homographic quiz in the documents that were being sent to the Muggle President,” I sighed. Mrs. Stevens groaned and pat her salt and pepper hair.

“Oh Addison, when are you going to learn to grow up? You’re sixteen years old and you need to learn how to behave like it,” she stated, looking me directly in the eye. I squirmed a bit. For some reason Mrs. Stevens could always make me feel guilty about my actions, not that she necessarily stopped me from doing it in the first place.

“I didn’t really. I could’ve, but I didn’t. It was just a joke,” I squeaked.

“You really mustn’t push your father’s buttons. He’s already under enough pressure. Can’t you be more like your younger sister?”

“And be a stuck-up goodie goodie, no thank you,” I snapped, sliding from the stool I was perched on. Mrs. Stevens gave me an even look and I found my will to fight her weaken. I swear she was a trained Legilimens because she always took my resolve away. I gave a rather immature whine and stomped my foot before stalking back towards my bedroom. I’m sick of people suggesting I act more like Audrey! I don’t want to be like Audrey. I don’t even want to be a little bit like Audrey. I’m the older sister. Isn’t she supposed to be compared to me?

I grabbed the simple black notebook with the hard leather cover and the tin of pencils off my nightstand and plopped stomach first onto my bed. I flipped open the cover and gently turned the delicate pages until I got to the most recent one. I ran my pinky along the edge of a line, smudging and shading its harsh points and strokes. The picture was gently forming in slopes and swirls but it wasn’t done yet. It wasn’t complete in my head. I bit my lower lip and pried off the lid to the metal tin before eyeing my choices critically and finally choosing a slender stick of charcoal. Slowly I began to continue down in a slope, using one fluid line to complete the back of the shoulders down to the curve of the back. With a few more sure strokes I had the body placed out on the vestiges of a face I had already created. The face was still blank though, only its bare structures pressed to the paper. It had no life. It was hollow.

I blinked at it, debating on where I actually wanted to take this portrait. Suddenly my wrist was moving with such quick movements I could scarcely believe I was controlling it. Shading over the face was easy—simple and haunting almost. Blank staring eyes. I couldn’t give life to my portraits lately. I roughly ripped the page from the book and crumpled it into a ball before throwing it into a corner.

I was still reattempting to sketch this face in my mind hours later. I knew what it looked like almost as much as I would know my own face—but I couldn’t do it justice. I couldn’t make it spark and grow on paper. It ended up an angry version of the vision in my mind’s eye. I ripped and chucked another scraped piece and threw my sketchbook at the foot of my bed—it bounced off the mattress and clattered to the floor. I couldn’t begin to care. There was a small knock on my door. Lazily I waved my wand at the mahogany surface. It flew open to reveal Dad standing there, a slight disapproving look on his face. His eyes flicked across the room as he made his way in, sweeping the piles on the ground and landing on reject pile.

“Your picture still giving you trouble?” he questioned, waving his wand at my curtains. They slid open followed by the soft bump of the window cranking open. A soft breeze played across the room, making my bed hangings sway slightly. I nodded blankly as Dad perched on the edge of my bed, pulling a throw pillow underneath his butt and tossing it next to me.

“Addison—we need to talk about lunch,” Dad started slowly. I flicked my eyes over to him before looking back at the wall.

“What’s there to talk about? I did bad. I get punished. We’ve been through this,” I sighed.

“That’s not what I want to talk to you about. Your behavior—it’s well…less than desirable. If you’re not sneaking out and showing up in the tabloids at some bar, you’re embarrassing me in front of the Ministry and my staff. It’s not—”

“Acceptable. I get it Dad.”

“Addison—Adder,” he relented. I really looked at him now. It’s one of the first times he’s actually called me that. “I know that since your moth—”

“This has nothing to do with Mom so don’t even suggest it,” I snapped cutting him off. His lips grew thin for a moment before he spoke again.

“I see you changed your hair again. Red this time,” he stated, motioning a hand to my head. I raised a hand to it. I forgot about that.

“I hate my hair color,” I grumbled.

“It’s not presentable to dye your hair,” he sighed. He gave his wand a rap over my head and I felt it shiver. He’d changed it back again. “Now—I’m afraid that if you don’t do something about your behavior there will be some drastic consequences.”

“Like what Dad? Not going back to Rowlings to finish school? I doubt that’s much of a punishment,” I snorted.

“No, I have other options at my disposal. This is your last warning Addison, one more toe out of line and I won’t just contain you to your room,” he stated. His voice was low and dangerous—like he was trying someone in a court and not talking to his eldest daughter. I blinked at him. I’d like to see him try. He wasn’t going to snap my wand; it didn’t do anything for his image. I honestly didn’t think he had the capacity to think of any sort of punishment worse than what he was doing now.

“Right Dad, I’ll behave,” I stated finally—mentally rolling my eyes and snorting. Dad got up from the edge of my bed and gave me a light kiss on the forehead.

“I only do this because I love you, Addison. What you do—the risks you take to merely get a reaction aren’t worth the consequences they cause. Remember that,” he stated, leaving the room. I chucked my pillow fiercely at the back of the door with a frustrated shriek.

“It’s Adder!” I shouted at the wood. But I doubt he heard—he was probably back in his study for the night, protecting his image further. Like he even actually cared.

A/A: So there it is! The first chapter of Destined to Implode! I hope you all liked it. Bear with Adder, she’ll grow on you, I promise. She’s just going through things. The next chapter is another Adder centric and then Fred will be in the picture after that. I just have to develop the exposition a bit more. Tell me what you think!

Forever yours Magically,

A/F: The very end. It’s here. I hope you all enjoyed the journey as much as I did.

Warning: Smut in the middle—the story is rated M for a reason.

  “Time to get up! Time to get up! We’re going to be late, time to get up!”

                I was being jostled unceremoniously upon the mattress. It felt like only moments ago I had fallen asleep and now I was being awoken very rudely. Some host he was—I’m a guest.

                “Let. Me. Sleep,” I groaned, each of my words punctuated as I was bounced on the bed.

                “Sorry, can’t. It’s not on the agenda. You can sleep in a bit anyways,” Cameron sang, the bouncing ceasing. I settled under the covers only to have the pillow that was over my eyes ripped from my face. I blinked blearily. I should’ve expected that. “Now that you’re up, get dressed.”  

                “I’m not up!” I shouted as his back retreated from the room.

                “Yes you are!” his reply wafted back into the room from down the hall. I grumbled back a few curse words and snuggled under the comforter, preparing myself for another hour of sleep. If he loved me, he would let me sleep. I lay there with my eyes closed and willed my dreams to pull me back under. Oh bugger me, it was impossible. I was awake. I threw back the covers with an indignant shriek and stomped into the bathroom—only to pause, back up and blink stupidly at the window. It was still dark out! I dashed back to the bed and searched the rumpled covers a bit until I found my wand. I gave it a wave in a figure eight and felt my jaw drop with a little pop as I eyed the ghostly numbers floating there.

                “Cameron! Why the bloody hell did you wake me up at four bloody thirty in the morning?!” I bellowed, going to dash from the room and running smack into my target’s chest. When I made eye contact with him his emerald eyes glinted mischievously.

                “Shh—there’s people sleeping in this apartment still. I told you, we have to stick on schedule. Now change into something comfortable,” he commanded.

                “I don’t care about waking anybody else up! I should be the one still asleep. You can’t make me change my clothes!” I snapped, perfectly ready to be completely defiant. I plopped down on the bed and crossed my arms over my chest, glaring at Cameron and daring him to make me do otherwise. He woke me up at four thirty in the morning, I’m not good with not a lot of sleep as it is, so coupled with not being clued in on a plan…well I make others utterly miserable. It’s one of my more attractive qualities of course—but it’s a well known one as it is. Cameron sighed and walked over, planting a palm on either side of my thigh and bending down so we were eye level.

                “I can and will force you—but you know what happens when I get you stripped down to your undies. We don’t have the time to test my self-control but we can test this theory later, okay? I’d be more to oblige,” he stated, his voice low and husky as his nose barely grazed mine. His lips were only inches away and even after almost a year I felt my heart rate speed up and my breath hitch. Oh damn him to all the rings of hell.                 “Fine—but I’m not doing it for you,” I remarked stubbornly. Cameron laughed and lightly pressed his lips against mine before pulling away.

                “Right—of course not. You have five minutes to get changed you smart ass,” he declared, strolling out of the room. I grumbled to myself for at least a minute of those five before getting up and pulling on a pair of my holeyer jeans and a knitted jade colored jumper with musical notes winding their way around the color, hem and cuffs. It was my latest Christmas Jumper from Grandmum. I was just struggling with tugging my boots out of my clutch when Cam came back. He eyed me amusedly for a moment as I finally got the second one loose but the momentum caused me to crash to the ground.

                “Maybe I should put your Mary Poppins’ bag away for the time being?” he questioned as I tugged on the fleece lined boots over my jeans. I paused mid-tug and blinked at him.

                “Mary what?”

                “You were so neglected as a child, now come on we need to go. Get whatever you want to carry in your pocket and give me your bag,” he commanded—holding out his hand. I sighed and peered into the small bag before plunging my arm into it. I was shoulder deep by the time my fingers came in contact with what I was searching for. I pulled it out with a flourish and handed Cameron the bag. He left the room again leaving me to plait my hair back with the tie I found and grab my wand. When I reached him in the living room I blinked.

                “Where’d you get my school rusack?” I questioned hesitantly. He looked up from where he was putting my smaller bag into the larger one and grinned.

                “Your sister—now give me your wand,” he commanded, holding out his hand. I blanched. My wand?

                “I don’t want you doing magic,” he sighed. I hesitated and he gave me a small smile—gently removing it from my hand. “You’ll be perfectly safe, now let’s go.”

                I felt myself sigh—here I was wandless, allowing my boyfriend take me to some undisclosed location at five in the morning. May Merlin help me.

…

                “I’m blind!” I exclaimed for what was probably the millionth time. He blindfolded me. The git actually blindfolded me.

                “Yes—that was the desired effect,” Cameron said in a deadpanned voice.

                “I don’t like it. Whatever your stupid little surprise is it’s off to an awfully bad start,” I grumped, trying in vain to see something other than the fabric in front of me. It was a futile attempt.

“Okay, okay. Just keep your skirt on. We’re almost there,” Cameron sighed. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat and drummed my fingers on the center console; they were quickly caught up in a warm palm. “If you twitch one more appendage, I swear Dominique.”

                “I wouldn’t have to bloody twitch if you unblindfolded me,” I huffed, my fingers tingling. I didn’t like being at a disadvantage, it made me feel vulnerable and I really wanted my wand.

                “There’s a reason I blindfolded you, you know. I try doing things that will surprise you,” he huffed. I snorted and brought my free hand up and scratched at the edges of the handkerchief.

                “This isn’t the one you use to mop your face during sets, is it?” I questioned hesitantly.

                “No…it’s Nate’s,” Cameron snorted. I squealed and went to rip the blindfold off but Cameron caught my wrists in one fist. “Calm down, I’m joking—oi! Learn to drive!”

                “Look who’s finally catching onto the Britain terminology. How long have you lived here? Two years?”

                “Shut it Weasley—he cut me off. It’s this stupid traffic. I can’t wait to get--”

                “Get where?! Are we leaving the country? Does my Dad know?” I jumped. There was a car horn to my right. I swiveled my head in the direction, but still saw dark tinted red.

                “You’ll know momentarily. And no Dom. I’m kidnapping you, your family knows,” Cameron replied dryly. The car suddenly lurched forward in a stop, making me shriek again and then there was dinging around me as he opened the door.

                “We’re here? Can I take this stupid thing off?”

                “No.”

                “Please?”

                “No. Now shut up and take my hand,” Cameron sighed. There was a slam, the trunk, and the crunching of gravel from wheels.

                “Is that a trolly? Are we at the train station?”

                “Stop guessing and just take my hand,” he commanded. I pouted but flung out my arm. Cameron tucked my hand in the crook of his arm and led me forward. I stumbled on a crack, only to be caught in his strong arms.

                “Careful now,” he laughed as I snorted in disgust.

                “I’m blind. How in the world can I be careful?”

                “By going slowly, you silly bitch. Stop being so mean. I’m doing this because I love you,” he giggled. “There’s a step here. There you go—now one second—just stay right there—and you can take it off! Happy One Year Anniversary and Birthday present mixed in one!”

                I ripped off my restraint and furrowed my brow in confusion. Cameron was standing with his arms wide in front of a large metal and glass building. There were tons of people whipping around us dragging bags and suitcases. I zeroed in on the two black suitcases on either side of Cam. He had a ridiculous grin.

                “Where are we?”

                “The airport silly!”

                “Airport? As in one of those muggle flying contraptions?!” I shrieked, my voice growing an octave.

                “Yes.”

                “Where the hell are you taking me?! I will not get on one of those things! There’s no way they’re safe!”

                “Will you breathe? We’re going to America!”

                I stared at him. America? We’re going to America?

                “To visit my Mom and sister? You’ll meet my Aunt? See where I grew up? I thought it’d be a nice idea,” he rambled, each sentence was getting quieter and quieter.

                “I would love to go to America, but can’t we just portkey or something?” I squeaked.

                “No! There is no way we’re doing any sort of magical transportation. Every time we do I get sick, bruised, or almost killed. No, we’re doing this the muggle way. It’s perfectly safe, Dom. How do you think us unfortunate ones travel the world?” He snorted, jerking up the handle of the bags, gathering them in both hands and offering me his free one. He also had two very large backpacks strewn over his back. I hesitantly took the proffered appendage, but couldn’t help wondering when he had time to plan all this?

                “Can I at least have my wand?” I managed to get out as he toted us into a rather long queue of people waiting to approach people behind metal desks. He looked at me from the corner of his eyes, but swung one of the bags (the one I used my seven years at school to carry around my books; a sturdy one made of cracked and perfectly worn in brown leather) around and unsnapped the side pocket that was specially made to hold wands. He hissed and drew his fingers away as they were shocked violently. I snickered.

                “Did you know it would shock me?” he hissed, shaking out his hand and losing the grip of his own bright red backpack. He fumbled with all the bags for a moment, twisting them in proper positions and repositioning them securely to his shoulder before glaring at me.

                “I didn’t know where you were keeping it! It’s an enchantment, so only the owner can take it out. Prevents rivaling houses from stealing your wand in the corridors,” I whispered, grabbing it myself and sliding it up the sleeve of my thick jumper, it slid effortlessly into the small pocket that Grandmum always sews into the jumper. It was the exact measurements of our wands and held them snuggly and safely against our wrists. I instantly felt better as soon as the smooth wood connected to my fingers—like a wash of calm drenched me from head to toe. As the queue moved along at a flobberworm’s pace, I took the time to look behind me at the glass walls. It was a stormy day in London, as per usual for summers, but the humidity was up. I wasn’t looking forward to actually setting foot on the great white contraptions that muggles used to fly. It didn’t seem safe and I didn’t like that I wasn’t able to control it like my broom.

                “So this thing, how exactly does it stay up?” I questioned hesitantly, gripping the handle to my wand underneath the thin knit. Cameron gave me a raised eyebrow and I cleared my throat slightly. “For Grandpop’s sake of course. You know that’s his greatest ambition.”

                “Aerodynamics, mechanics, the such,” he shrugged. We were finally at the top of the queue. A blonde woman with a harsh low ponytail smiled brightly at us.

                “Bags to check in mums,” she declared in a strong cockney accent. Cameron grinned and hefted our bags in an indent on the counter. A screen with gigantic red numbers coursed through several levels before settling on a weight. “Right, continue to customs then. Enjoy your flight.”                 “Not bloody likely,” I hissed under my breath. Cameron laughed and led me through the crowded hall to some moving staircases like the underground has and to yet another queue.

                “So tomorrow, after we get over the gnarly jet lag, I have a whole day planned for us. It’s going to be completely muggle. No magic whatsoever. To be honest, it’s far overdue,” he laughed, leading me with a hand on my lower back.

                “Really? I think you’ve become rather reliant on magic this past year,” I laughed. Cameron gave me a flat look. This line went by faster and we reached the podium where a bored looking official in a uniform stood. Cameron handed him two little blue booklets, which he scrutinized severely before leading us onwards.

                Two ‘metal detectors’ and ten queues later we were sitting in a waiting area that rivaled St. Mungos. There were people packed there with luggage at their feet. Some had squealing children running up and down between the chairs.

                “I can’t wait to show you around! There’s so many things that I have planned. You’ll like my Aunt I think, she’s very dry and sarcastic—a lot like your Aunt Ginny,” Cameron was babbling on. I clued into the last part of the conversation and gave him a warm smile. It didn’t dawn on me until now that he was probably just as nervous as bringing me to his hometown as I was with the possibility of getting on the plane.

                “I’m sure I’ll love everything you’ve set up,” I assured him. A great voice boomed around me, it was like the voice at the Ministry but lacked its cool demeanor. This one just seemed bored.                 “Well that’s us,” Cameron grinned, grabbing my hand and an envelope that held our tickets. He led me up to a woman in a neat uniform—showed her our tickets and soon we were ushered down a long hallway. Soon we walked through the smallest door possible and past a room with more buttons and lights than I could imagine. How is it possible that this thing flies? After passing a section of plush leather seats we stopped in the second type. It wasn’t as extravagant as the first but had two seats per aisle and a good amount of leg room.

                “Felix pulled a favor and got us business class. The flight’s long and these seats have more room than coach,” he explained, standing aside so I could slip into the seat by the tiny square window. When I looked out I only saw small carts driving around and several other large airplanes.

                “This thing surely can’t hold this many people,” I whispered as the plane slowly filled. Cameron gave me a large grin.

                “It will—you’ll see. Just sit back and relax, it’s a long flight,” he commanded, reaching around and buckling my belt for me. I jiggled my knee and waited for what seemed like forever. Finally the plane was full and we were going through safety instructions (which I listened to explicitly. It was for my safety after all and I was positive I would need it). And then there was lots of dinging noises and we began to move. I let out a frightened squeak and snatched onto Cameron’s hand. The nose was tilting upwards. I let out a louder squeak and buried my face into his shoulder. I could feel his shoulders shaking in laughter but I ignored him. We are going too fast. This thing won’t be able to hold all this weight into the air. I was going to die. I was sure of it.

                “Dom,” Cameron sighed suddenly. I squeezed my eyes tighter. This was his last goodbyes to me—even he knew about our imminent doom.

                “Dom,” Cameron repeated. “We’re level.”

                “No—we’re going to crash,” I wailed, a little too loudly for my own liking. Cameron started laughing again.

                “No—we’re not,” he soothed. “Excuse me, miss.”

                I looked up at this to see who he was talking to. It was one of the women in the smart uniforms. She paused by us with a large smile plastered on her face.

                “Can you please console my girlfriend that planes have been flying for ages without crashing?”

                “I’ve flown every day of my life for ten years and not once have I crashed, dear,” the woman replied kindly. Ten years? That’s a long time.

                “Nobody’s died from these contraptions?” I questioned hesitantly. The woman opened her mouth but snapped it shut—smiled again and roughly shook her head.

                “No nobody’s died,” she replied before quickly moving on. I felt the breath I was holding release and I sagged against Cameron. This was too much for me and I could feel the last couple hours catching up with me.

                “Sleep—we have plenty of time before we land,” Cameron demanded as I stifled a yawn. He lifted the arm rest and unbuckled my seatbelt so I could snuggle down with my head in his lap. His fingers began to comb against my scalp and I slowly felt myself drift off—my dreams riddled with passing clouds and Professor McGonagall making a loud roaring sound instead of speaking as she flew next to me.

…

                “Dom,” a whisper drifted to me from a thousand miles away. I was far too comfortable to even consider waking up. “Dom, babe,” the voice declared again, this time accompanied with a small shake. “Dominique—they need you to wake up so you can sit upright.”

                I was still far too content with my slumber to even attempt waking up.

                “Dominique—the plane is crashing.”

                Now my eyes flew open as I suddenly realised my surroundings. I was on a muggle flying contraption. I looked wildly around and sat up, face to face with a smirking Cameron.

                “ Now that you’re up, put on your safety belt. We’re landing,” he commanded. “You just slept for eleven hours straight.”

                “Really?! That’s bloody forever,” I yawned, honestly amazed and slightly proud of my own sleeping abilities.

                “I know—you weigh a ton. My leg’s asleep,” Cameron smirked. I scowled at him and peeked out my window. The ground was closer now and I could make out the tops of tall buildings. It was only about twenty more minutes (and more fretting into Cameron’s shoulder on my part) that we were finally touched on the ground. I looked up and blinked as people began undoing seatbelts and standing up to grab bags from overhead compartments. Cameron was beaming at me.

                “Welcome to California, Dominique,” he declared, holding his arms wide.

₰:Cameron: ₰

                The next hour or so was filled with gathering luggage and checking back into the country. Dominique was still slightly dazed from the flight and followed around without complaints, but merely clutched my hand and looked around LAX in a coupling of amazement and confusion.

                “What’s that?” she whispered, pointing to the small machine in the corner.

                “An ATM,” I laughed. “It’s how us muggles get money without going to a bank.”

                “Oh—I wish we had that,” Dom breathed out. I giggled and wheeled her outside. She frowned and shifted uncomfortably. “It’s so hot out.”

                “Welcome to California—the state of one season,” I snorted, scanning the cars circling around for the familiar. Suddenly there was a sharp honk and loud whistle. I felt my face break into a grin as I yanked Dom towards the red van that was idling at the curb.

                “Aunt Cindy!” I exclaimed, throwing open the back door.

                “Oh Cammy dear! Welcome home,” she exclaimed, flipping around from the driver’s seat and examining Dominique. She gave her a shy smile which Aunt Cindy responded with tenfold.

                “You must be Dominique. Welcome!” she exclaimed. Dominique blushed slightly pink and grinned at her.

                “Thank you for having me—not that I really knew about it before hand,” she stated. “This git decided to surprise me, even though he knows I’m not fond of surprises that hold waits involved.”

                “You were perfectly alright with me surprising you at school,” I pointed out, to which Dom rolled her eyes.

                “Like I said—no wait involved. I didn’t know it was coming until it hit me,” she announced. Aunt Cindy sighed from the front seat as she pulled out of traffic and onto the freeway.

                “Just listen to that accent. I could die,” she announced. Dominique blushed again and gave a small laugh.

                “I guess I am the one with the accent now, yeah?”

                “Sure are—you outcast you!” I declared. Dominique smacked me lightly across the chest but gave me a fond smile. The rest of the car ride was spent with chit-chat, or basically Dominique being grilled by my Aunt and soon we arrived at our apartment complex.

                “Right now—we’ll be expecting you two for dinner tomorrow. Here’s your keys, Cam,” Aunt Cindy declared, switching seats with me. I gave her a friendly wave and backed out of the apartment, catching Dominique’s confused stare before I turned around.

                “There’s not much room in the apartment so Nate’s lending me his old one that he still has,” I explained—making the very short drive to where we’d be staying. “Go ahead and shower and be down in half hour. Dress gorgeous,” I commanded as I ushered her into the apartment. She gave me an annoyed look but took her bag none the less and stepped into the bedroom I pointed out. She emerged a quarter of an hour later and I felt my jaw drop. She did a small twirl and my eyes latched onto every part of her body. The teal blue dress was tight the whole way through and molded to her every curve—setting her body off. She kicked up one nude heel and fluttered her eyelashes at me. Her legs were endless and looked silky to the touch. I wanted to throw all my plans to the wind and just attack her right now. I tried to swallow, but it seemed futile.

                “Do I look gorgeous enough to your standards?” she asked coyly, running one finger along my jaw line before flouncing off and plopping onto the couch.

                “Babe—you look too gorgeous for me to take you out in public,” I admitted, plopping down next to her and grabbing her tiny waist. I nuzzled my nose into the crook of her neck and planted feather light kisses there making her squirm and squeal lightly.

                “That tickles! Why’d you have me change so quickly if you were going to do this?” she questioned, twisting out of my reach. I blinked. I had plans?

                “Oh—right. I made dinner reservations,” I coughed, jumping up and artfully rearranging my jeans. She raised one thin eyebrow and turned to the mirror by the door. She frowned, reached into the top of her dress and pulled out her wand. I gaped at her causing her to smirk again.

                “This dress is so tight—where else was I supposed to keep it?” she questioned with a laugh. With a twirl her hair was piled on top of her head with a few tendrils slipping down her back. “Shall we eat?”

                “Yes, we shall. But before we go I wanted to let you know that you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen and I love you and I’m the luckiest guy in the world,’ I replied, coming up behind her and giving her a kiss on the cheek. Her reflection melted as she leaned back against me.

                “I’m the one who’s lucky, really.”

…

(Smut warning, skip if desired)

                Dinner was difficult to get through. Dominique kept running one bare foot up and down my shin. I’m sure—by now—she realized what effect she was having on me. She must. The looks I was giving her could only interpret to one thing. I needed her badly. It’s been too long since we’ve done anything besides kiss and I was dying for skin on skin contact. Of course we still hadn’t done that yet. Having deemed her school, home, and my apartment with Nathan sticking around inappropriate. We hadn’t pushed it—exploring our relationship in other ways.

                “So,” I started, only to close my eyes as her toes grazed the inseam of my pants. She was looking at me hungrily—the dessert we were sharing left abandoned between us. “Would you like to do anything after this? Maybe see a movie? It was my plan since you’ve never been to one before.”

                “If you’d like. I’m wide awake—but there is plenty of time to be a muggle, pet,” she sighed. I jumped. She’s switched her foot for her hand, lightly running her fingers up and down my inner thigh and circling the button enclosure on my jeans. “We could just go back to the apartment and catch up. I’ve missed you.”

                You would have to be stupid to miss the double entendre in her words. I quickly stuffed the proper amount of money into the bill folder and grabbed her hand. We barely made it to the van before I pressed her up against the door and planted a fervent kiss to her lips. Her hand wound its way around my neck and she just allowed the tip of her tongue to graze against mine before she pulled away.

                “We’re in public, love,” she giggled, kissing my nose and pulling open the door. I groaned and quickly slid into the driver’s seat, taking all precautions that I could on the drive back to the apartment. Every bit of me wanted to speed home, running all lights and stops in the process. But my self control was strong and somehow I made it home without breaking any laws.

                The desire was burning within me and as soon as I opened the door, Dominique scampered away from me, glancing at the clock as she did so and stopping. Her mouth formed a perfect ‘O’ and she grinned slightly.

                “I’m eighteen,” she remarked with a smirk. I looked at the clock. So she was. I held up a hand and rushed over to my bags, throwing things to the side as I searched. The need was still coursing through my veins but I pushed it aside. I had more pressing matters. Of course tomorrow there was a full day planned in celebration of her birthday but giving her this now seemed right. Finally I found it and walked briskly back to Dominique—who looked rather confused.

                “So I have a whole day planned tomorrow for your birthday and our pseudo anniversary. Our real anniversary Mom wants to take us out in celebration. Something about how she never thought she’d ‘see the day’. But this is for you,” I sighed, holding out the small gold wrapped package. She grinned widely and positively ripped the wrappings from the box (I’ve discovered she has no inhibitions when it comes to presents). She yanked off the top and promptly dropped the box on the floor. I frowned. Bad gift?

                “Cameron,” she breathed, bending down and picking it up. She plucked the delicate silver ring from its confinements and peered at it with her eyes wide. It wasn’t an engagement ring but rather a silver ring with an infinity sign on the top that was iced in little diamonds.

                “It’s not like an engagement ring if that’s what you think,” I started. “See that’s an infinity symbol. It means I’ll love you always. I’ll love you until you can find the end of that shape.”

                “Oh Cam,” she breathed, slipping it onto her finger and admiring it. When she looked up at me her large blue eyes were glassy with unshed tears. “It’s beautiful.”

                “Oh good—because I thought you would think it was too corny or something,” I admitted with a nervous laugh.

                “No! It’s perfect! I can’t promise that I won’t make fun of you in the future for that speech—but for right now, it’s brilliant,” she grinned, wiping quickly under her eyes.

                “That’s more like it. It is comments like that that make me realize everything is okay between us. It is comments like that that make me love you more,” I sighed. Suddenly she had launched herself in my arms and her lips were upon mine.

They were fervent—rushed and filled with static, the desire coursing through her every pore. I latched my arms around her waist and pulled us flush, letting no heat escape from between us. Hands were in each others’ hair and her bare leg slid slightly up my jean clad one. Suddenly I had her pressed up against a wall, my lips moving a tango against her neck. She tilted her head back slightly—a soft moan escaping her lips. It was the noise that made me lose all self control. My hands (already placed artfully on her upper thighs) hefted her up and she immediately responded by locking her feet around my waist, her shoes falling off in the process. I kicked open the bedroom door and walked backwards until the backs of my legs hit the bed. That’s when I couldn’t hold myself up any longer. I collapsed, pulling her swiftly on top of me.

                “I. Love. You,” she gasped, in between kissing my neck. I only managed to gurgle out a response because her fingers were roaming downwards over my jeans. Tracing every peak and fall to perfection and making me shiver.

                “Are you cold?” she smirked, sitting up and straddling my waist. “Because I’m not so used to this weather. It’s rather hot to me.”

                “Well you know—that dress is made of really thick fabric,” I smirked, playing along as she toyed with the hem of her dress. It was practically hiked up around her hips.

                “I believe you’re right. I’ll be right back,” she declared, hopping off of me and striding in the direction of the bathroom. I let out a strangled noise.

                “I meant for you to take it off! Not leave!” I shouted, sitting upright. I heard a muffled giggle from behind the door.

                “I’m changing,” was her only reply. With another groan, I swiftly unbuttoned my dress shirt and yanked it off, followed quickly by my jeans. I was mid-way of hopping out of the last pant leg when the door creaked. I looked up and promptly fell over. There was my girlfriend clad in only a lace dress (or what I assumed was a dress. It barely grazed the bottom of her butt). The lace was set so tight that you could just see a hint of what was under it.

                “I found this when I was picking out something to wear. It seemed like something that would keep me cool,” she sighed, fingering the hem and looking up at me through her eyelashes. The moonlight hit her in such a way that her skin shone brightly from underneath it’s hidden layer. She flounced to the bed and drew her wand out of her cleavage, tapping her head once with it. Her hair spilled out of its confines and over her shoulders. She shook it out and looked expectantly at me.

                “You’re staring,” she stated simply.

                “What do you expect me to do when you come out like that,” I groaned, kicking off my pants and getting up. I gently grabbed her waist and eased her downwards so I was lying on top of her, my weight dispersed on my arms. Slowly and painstakingly I began to kiss her, starting at her forehead and making my way down (artfully avoiding her lips at all costs). I still had the burning want to go completely out of control and just ravage her. But now I felt that I didn’t need to act on this urge. I just wanted to kiss her and take my time with it. Feel every little bit of what I was doing. I was to the point where her cleavage disappears beneath a slip of lace and carefully I placed a hand on one mound, testing and teasing the skin with my fingertips all while continuing with the journey of my lips. Her breath hitched and her leg slid up, sliding smoothly over my own legs.

                Running my fingers down her body I froze at the hem of her dress. Giving her a small look she just let out a moan. Carefully I slid my fingertips up the hem, teasing along her thighs and brushing my fingertips over the correct places for seconds at a time. I felt her body shudder under me as I continued my escapades.

                “Oh Cam,” she sighed, her eyes closed and her head tilted back slightly.

                We’ve done this before, of course, on both sides. Usually fully clothed or down to the bare essentials. It was too much of a risk to get to the plain skin. Too much of a chance of interruption and embarrassing situations. But now we had everything. All the time in the world and no chance of being caught. I moved my fingers back to the hem of her dress and she let out a strange whimper, opening her eyes to connect to mine. With a small nod of approval, I carefully removed her dress, taking in every bit of her as I went. Oh God she was beautiful. Hesitantly I traced every part that I’d never seen. All the parts that the clothes and underwear prevented me from really taking in. She shivered slightly as I continued and gave her the gentlest of kisses. Suddenly she sat up on her elbows, looking me straight in the eye. Hesitantly her own hands reached out and grabbed at the elastic of my boxers. I pulled away and looked at her.

                “You sure?”

                She merely nodded in response, easing my pants over my hips and sending them to a heap on the floor. I connected my lips with hers again, running my fingers over every soft part of her body. The direct skin on skin was amazing. Completely void of all barriers and just raw. Suddenly she pulled away from the kiss and nudged me so I could roll off.

                “It’s okay. We don’t have to,” I announced as she walked to the bathroom. She emerged a few seconds later and closed her eyes, circling her wand over her abdomen. It glowed slightly and she put her wand down, walking over to me and slipping a leg on either side of my lap. I felt my hips buck so I grabbed onto her waist and buried my face in her shoulder.

                “I want to. That was to shield the dangers,” she whispered, moving her lips from my ear to my neck. “Just—be gentle. I—well—I don’t remember anything but it hurting the last time.”

                “I’ll try not to hurt you,” I promised, lifting her and laying her down on the pillow. I grabbed my own shield from the dangers and carefully applied it before crawling next to her and brushing some hair off her face.

                “I love you,” I sighed, kissing her deeply. Her eyes were wide when I pulled away and I kneed her legs a bit wider, using my hands to angle her hips better. She squeezed her eyes shut but after a few tense moments I felt her relax and her hands found their way to my hair. I never tore my eyes away from hers. She gasped a little and I froze.

                “No—I’m okay. Really,” she replied, smiling at me and kissing me hard on the mouth. I took this opportunity to let go of her hips and hold her face tight to mine as I continued on. She opened her mouth and sighed, sending shivers down my spine. Her back arched slightly and she bit my bottom lip ever so gently. And it was like I couldn’t hold it in any more. Still cautious to be gentle I lost myself in her. Her eyes, her smile, every bit she had ever given me. The only think I was conscience of was her gently moaning my names with every quick stroke. And as suddenly as it developed, it was over and we were collapsed in a sweaty heap on the blankets. I raised my head to look at her as she panted.

                “I love you,” she sighed, placing a hand on my cheek and kissing me lightly on the lips. I cradled her to my chest and took a deep breath. I could still feel her all over me, my skin was buzzing with the sheer thought of the situation.

                “I love you too, babe. I love you more than you know,” I sighed finally before we both lost ourselves to sleep.

₰:Dominique: ₰

                The week was the fastest week of my life. It was like exam time—the more you dreaded it the faster it came. I didn’t want to leave the little sanctuary that Cameron and I built for each other. It was refreshing, really and calm. Sleeping in each other’s arms (amongst other things, of course) and just enjoying non-stop company. You’d think we’d get sick of each other—but it was the complete opposite, we couldn’t get enough.

                He’d taken me to a Muggle movie (fascinating how they project it on the screen), a play park (swings, a slide, and this thing called a ‘ball pit’ that was just brilliant. I felt five and was okay with it), Karaoke (he forced me to sing, stating I was going to lose all stage presence if I didn’t keep it up. I got up and really performed. I never knew how much I missed it), tons of sightseeing (we went to this crazy beach with tons of street vendors, a work out place, and crazy people watching), and gave me a tour of all the places he hung out as a child. Leah and he were right; I’d really missed out on a lot as a child. All these Muggle things were so entertaining that I don’t know how I went eighteen years without trying them out at least once.

                Cameron and I were snuggled up under a large blanket in the apartment the night before we were set to go back home. We’d spent all day there catching up on a bunch of Muggle movies he claimed I was deprived on as a child and just got back from dinner with his family to continue where we left off. It was comfortable and just right. I was idly spinning my ring around my finger when it slipped off and into my palm. I was about to shove it back on when I froze and brought it up to my eyes. There was something inscribed there.

                “To the girl that will never be simply a charity case. I sing for you.”

                I blinked for a second or two before I started laughing. Cameron looked away from the telly slightly alarmed and gave me an incredulous look.

                “I just found the script,” I explained, holding up the ring. Cameron’s confusion melted to amusement as he took the ring from me and slipped it onto my finger. “I didn’t think you’d remember that day.”

                “Why wouldn’t I remember the day where I met the most beautiful girl on the planet,” Cameron announced cheekily. I rolled my eyes and mimed gagging, making Cameron chuckle.

                “I didn’t offer you that free gift because I felt bad for you,” he declared. “I offered it to you because I couldn’t stand to see you walk away. I had to do something so I did that. I never thought I’d see you again and I figured I might as well go out in your mind with a bang.”

                “Well it worked. I was fuming mad but I couldn’t get you out of my head,” I admitted sheepishly. Cameron beamed and planted a kiss on the top of my head. I knew, sitting there watching some cartoon movie about fish, that this next year and my job wouldn’t tear us apart. Like Cam said our love was to infinity. It took center stage and made a name for itself and its performance will always imprint itself on my heart.

A/F: And that’s it folks. The very end of Center Stage. I hope I did that one section justice—I just felt it needed to be in there. To show how much their relationship really grew. Keep an eye out for my next story ‘Destined to Implode’ and for updates on my Drabble Fic ‘Snapshots’. The first fic is up on snapshots so if you’re going through Emily withdrawals check that out?

For the last time:

Forever Yours Magically,

A/F: Well here it is! The last chapter of ‘Center Stage’. I believe I have an epilogue in the works. I was going to use it for something else but I changed my mind. For a more complete A/N see the afterwards. Also! When you guys are done reading this and want something to hold you over until the epilogue is posted—check out my brand new story ‘Snapshots’! It’s a series of oneshots focusing in on one portion of each Next Generation kid in the Weasley/Potter family. Currently I have Teddy up and ready to read. Enjoy!

…

My feet pounded against the pavement. It had started raining again but I was already past the point of casting an Impervious Charm on my sweatshirt. I didn’t have time to stop and calm my mind. I didn’t have time to find a place to hide from the Muggles. I was just going to have to deal with getting soaked.

I’ve already screwed up and it’s cost me several precious minutes that I needed. I wasn’t concentrating enough—my mind was stuffed to the brim—and I apparated a mile away from where I wanted to apparate to. I was late. I was going to miss the opening number. At this point if Cecelia didn’t take my solo slot (meaning if my plan didn’t work. I was already hoping to Merlin it would—it was a long shot really) Giles certainly would. I could only be so late. But if I didn’t have my solo this would be the only chance my family could really hear me sing. I skidded around the corner, planting my palm on the rough ground to stop myself from falling, and put on my last burst of speed to close the last block.

Oh Merlin—why am I so out of shape. I could hardly breathe thanks to the stitch in my side—the adrenalin was the only thing really keeping me going. I should suggest a new training regimen to Louis where we do things other than training on brooms. Cardio or whatever—it might give us an edge next season.

Oh for the love of all things magical—my sanity and magic was hanging by a thread yet my mind is thinking of Quidditch. I berated myself and yanked open the door to the lobby, it was empty. I could hear the low murmur behind the doors. It sounded like the Great Hall at meal times. Everyone was seated. I barely caught a glance of myself as I passed the mirror mounted behind the front desk. I looked like a drowning rat. Bugger—I won’t get ready in time. I won’t be able to perform. Slowly I edged open the door to the Green Room. It was fairly noisy—everyone chattering away the pre-show jitters, but when I entered you could’ve heard a pin drop. It was that silent. Suddenly there was a shout.

“DOMINIQUE!” Leah exclaimed from somewhere in the middle of the pack. Heads were jostled and suddenly she shoved her way to the front—her face shining. She was in her plain black opening dress—a velvet number that had a fitted bodice and flared skirt with a high crossing neckline and a low cut back. She was practically bouncing in her plain black ballet flats—her hair whipping in and out of her face. And then she was squeezing me with all the power she possessed. “I thought you wouldn’t make it! I thought things were going to be bad! You did what you had to do? You accomplished it right? I knew you would—you’re so smart and amazing. Oh—what am I going to do if I lose you!?”

“Leah! Breathe! You’re not losing me,” I snapped, tugging lightly on her hair in warning. She inhaled sharply and when she pulled away her cheeks were slightly pink.

“Of course not, I was just so nervous. Got carried away,” she whispered guiltily. I gave her a small smile and looked around the room. It was still silent. I locked eyes with Cecelia (in a tight, short and black sequined number no less), she looked absolutely livid.

“She can’t perform! She missed Final Dress, she’s not even ready, and she missed warm-ups. It wouldn’t be fair for her to get her solo!” she declared. The room seemed to be holding its breath. Apparently someone had got Giles because he stumbled into the room carrying something in his hand. It was my dress for the opening number. I gaped at him as Cameron and he rushed over. Cam and I locked eyes and my breath caught in my throat. I couldn’t tell him now—there was no time. He gnawed on his lower lip—an extremely concerned look crossing his features. His forearms flexed (rather attractively) in his plain black button-up shirt that he had rolled to his elbows. Merlin I wanted to kiss him—I didn’t know for certain if things were going to work out tonight. I didn’t know how long we had.

“GILES!” Cecelia shrieked suddenly. I was snapped back to reality.

“I said we’d talk about it after the opening number Cecelia—now go get dressed Dominique and be quick about it!” Giles declared shoving my outfit into my hands. Three of the makeup girls and Camilla swarmed around me and corralled me into the bathroom. I chanced a glance at Cameron over my shoulder—he had a determined look on his face. Maybe he was able to read my misapprehensions about my plan. Maybe he too knew our time was numbered. The mere thought made me want to break down start sobbing.

“Oh dear—I don’t know how much we’ll be able to do. Get dressed—we’re going to go get our stuff. We have to be quick about all this so you’ll look far better for your solo, but now we’re going to have to rely on your natural beauty. We’re lucky you’re so gorgeous to begin with,” Camilla, the head of the makeup department prattled on. I blinked at her—her compliments flying over my head as three pairs of hands practically ripped my jeans off of me.

“But I won’t get this—”

“Step up, now,” a voice commanded. I obediently lifted my feet and arms as my sweatshirt and shirt was ripped from my body in fowl swoop.

“I won’t get that solo,” I finished, my voice muffled through the fabric of my tight bodice dress. Like Leah’s it had the fit and flare look, with a flared skirt but the back had a cut out in the shape of a heart.

“Don’t be ridiculous—the company will revolt if Cecelia get’s that solo again,” Camilla snorted as I was shoved onto a loo. A pair of hands were in my hair, one attacking my face and another down at my feet shoving on knee high black suede boots with a killer heel, not too much unlike Leah’s but much less tart-like.

“She needs blush or the stage will wash her out,” someone commanded.

“I missed dress rehearsal,” I added, but was smacked lightly on the cheek by someone. They were attempting to put on my lippy.

“It doesn’t matter. Giles wants you to sing anyways so you will. Giles is the final word,” one girl giggled, attacking my eyes. There was something rough and metal shoved in my hair (an Alice band I presume) and all four girls jumped back.

“It’ll have to do. Now go,” Camilla commanded, opening the door. I rushed out (didn’t even get to look at myself) into the empty green room and shoved open the door to the stage. Two people assaulted me, one a techie with a microphone and the other Cameron.

“You look amazing,” he breathed, putting a hand on my lower back and hurrying me to the packed stage where everyone was placed. We were to be at the top at opposite sides and enter on our verses, strutting down the center.

“I think they raped me in there. I wouldn’t actually know—it all went so fast,” I laughed. Cameron gave me a half smile and gave my hand a squeeze.

“I think it was their fastest change to date—three minutes for full hair, makeup, and wardrobe. I’m going to have to congratulate them.” He gave me a brief kiss to the side of the head and hurried to the other side where he was set to enter. A hush suddenly dropped over the performers and the blue lights dimmed backstage. We were plunged in darkness. The whispered roar of the crowd beyond suddenly dropped and before I could even get nervous that I was all alone the curtain was pulled.

₰:Cameron:₰

The smattered applause that always followed a raised curtain echoed through the auditorium. Through the lights that raised on stage I could merely make out the forms of the packed audience—no direct face to guide me. I felt the rush of blood through my veins as the piano kicked in. This is what I lived for. The audience. Knowing that I was the source of pure entertainment if only for a short while. Suddenly the company started their chorus.

“Don’t Stop. Don’t Stop.”

And from the balcony rose Nathan’s voice.

“If you wake up and don’t want to smile. If it takes just a little while.”

Cecelia picked up on the harmonies and I felt the strong urge to stride down the stage and push her into the pit. But I refrained—even if she did deserve it. I took a deep breath as we all reigned in the chorus and adjusted the guitar strung against my back. Slowly it was coming time for our turn. I caught Dominique’s eye and gave her a smile. She bit her lip and raised her own microphone, strutting down into the spotlight with me. I grinned at her as she began to sing, aiding her on the harmonies with my shirt mic.

“Why not think about times to come/And not about the things that you've done/If your life was bad to you/Just think what tomorrow will do.”

As the chorus broke out again I twirled a beaming Dominique and took her hand as everyone broke out into the chorus. Suddenly the company broke out into a crescendo and I dropped Dominique’s hand and leapt on top of a rehearsal cube for the musical interlude and my guitar solo. There was a loud group of cheers somewhere off to my right as I slammed down on my chords—but it didn’t matter. It was just me and my guitar; me and the strings that I nimbly plucked and strummed to coax out the ringing serenade that flowed so easily from me. Nathan was singing his own aide to the instrumental and out of the corner of my eye I could see Ethan jamming riff after riff on the piano, he grinned up at me and gave me his signature wink. Slowly the song built down into a simmer and I looked out into the audience—taking a deep breath so I could sing into my shirt mic.

“All I want is to see you smile,” I crooned, looking across the stage.

“If it takes just a little while,” Dominique picked up right away from her perch on the rehearsal cube opposite mine.  

“I know you don't believe that it's true,”

“I never meant any harm to you,” Dominique finished and as Nate and Cecelia picked up the second crescendo of voice riffs Dominique and I jumped off the rehearsal cubes, me with a large slam on the guitar and her with a slight twirl. And as the background kept up with their part the four of us had reached center stage to belt out our marks, ‘it’ll soon be here’.

The company kept their chorus going leaving the four soloists at center stage to handle our own show of voices as we chanted things such as ‘don’t you look back’ and ‘don’t stop’; things of that sort that always made me want to laugh but were necessary to round off any song. Then everyone was facing forward for the final chords.

“Don’t stop!”

And the audience was going wild. I glanced over at Dominique, she was panting and beaming at the same time with a wild smile on her face. She honestly looked like she was going to cry. And we gave a short bow and the curtain closed. The stage cleared quickly and I grabbed Dom around the waist (she was slightly frozen still) and hefted her to the wings. It was just in time really, because the curtain rose and the scene started. It was a drama production—a comedic thing by Neil Simon. Dominique and I stared at each other in the light that was filtering into the wings from offstage. She was still grinning madly—and suddenly she launched herself at me, a small squeal escaping from her lips. I returned the hug, kissed her fiercely and started to lead her towards the Green Room.

“That was exhilarating! Did you hear the applause?! Did you?!” she declared, flipping around and walking backwards so she could talk to me. I let out a small laugh and brushed some hair out of her face.

“I heard, I saw, you were amazing! And no nerves!” I exclaimed, grasping her waist. She scrunched her nose and gave me a one shouldered shrug.

“It happened so fast I didn’t have time for nerves. Plus—you were there beside me,” she laughed, reaching behind her and pushing open the door. She flipped around and froze, the smile slipping from her face. Cecelia was standing front and center—her arms crossed and a peeved look on her face.

“We can do this here or in the hallways,” she grinned. Everyone in the room was looking at us hesitantly, probably ready to jump in when the claws came out, but Dominique nodded and headed for the lobby door. Leah and I locked eyes from across the room and hurried after her, just catching the door before it slammed closed.

₰:Dominique:₰

As I faced Cecelia in the deserted hallway the thrill of my first performance in front of a large audience dripped from my fingertips. I could kill her for taking away this buzz. I itched to grab for my wand but remembered it was stuffed in my sweatshirt pocket. I’ll have to do this Muggle way if I got angry—I’ll just punch her in the nose.

“Have you made a decision?” Cecelia questioned with a small smirk.

“Will you just let it rest? Giles already wants Dom to perform,” Leah sighed exasperatedly. The door to the Green Room swung open suddenly and Sara—the wardrobess—popped her head out.

“Leah—you need to get in costume. You know how long it takes us to get you in your pants,” she commented, eyeing our little faceoff wearily. Leah gave out a small groan and I grabbed her wrist before she could follow Sarah away. I quickly whispered the location of my wand and Leah gave me a brief nod—chirping that she would guard it with her life before flitting away.

“Like Loser Leah said—Giles has chosen you. But know what will happen if you perform. All I have to do is flash a little leg to those lecherous techies and they’ll stall a curtain and hand me a mic. They adore me, the big dorks,” she sighed, examining her fingernails.

“Techies do more work than you have ever done in your life,” I snapped. “We wouldn’t have a show without them.”

“Regardless, I still have them wrapped around my pinky. Now go tell Giles that you’re not performing. You. Have. No. Choice,” she stated, segregating her words. I glanced at Cameron—he was bright red with fury at his ex-girlfriend. Luke may be a crazy attempted murderer, but Cecelia might win on ‘worst ex’.

“Fine,” I answered finally. Cameron’s jaw dropped and he opened his mouth to argue with me but I silenced him with a look. “She’s right, Cam. I have no choice,” I remarked. Cameron’s eyes turned to mine. He looked heartbroken.

“Yeah Cammy, she has no choice. I’ve won—get used to it,” Cecelia giggled, before flicking her hair over her shoulder and stalking into the Green Room. Cameron whirled on me then—his eyes sharp.

“What was that about? You just giving in to her!” he demanded. I hefted a sigh and shrugged one shoulder.

“She would’ve told everyone,” I answered after a second of contemplation.

“And what makes you think she won’t use this to blackmail you for the rest of your life?”

“Will you calm down for a second?” I questioned with a small huff. Cameron froze mid-lecture and blinked at me.

“You’re not giving in?” he sighed.

“No—but I don’t know if this will work exactly. You’re going to have to trust me,” I answered firmly. Cameron gathered me into his arms and sighed again. His warm, sweet breath played across my cheeks and I closed my eyes briefly.

“I trust you. I trust you with everything,” he answered finally.

“Good, because if this doesn’t work you know this means more than just the solo—right? If she spills it means the end of us. I might have been able to convince my family—that was easy. But the ministry—they don’t encourage telling your Muggle Partner until after marriage. They’ll modify your memory and snap my wand,” I explained—my voice level and low. I opened my eyes to see Cameron’s green eyes boring into mine.

“I wouldn’t let them—we’ll run away,” he answered after a fraction of a second.

“I wish it were that easy,” I replied with a small smile. I placed a hand on his cheek and softly caressed the scruff there. “But we’re going to have to have faith that this plan will work. It’s the best that we can do.”

Cameron looked like I socked him in the gut.

“You don’t think we could hide from them?”

“No—this is magic we’re dealing with. Hiding doesn’t go well and I don’t know if my family will go to lengths to protect you. Sure they love you now but I don’t know if they’d even love me for revealing magic. It might be too big of a mistake,” I answered, my throat constricting suddenly. I couldn’t think like this—it wouldn’t work if I did. I needed to stay positive. “But we don’t have to worry—my plan is going to have to work. And I’m going to sing tonight. I’m going to show myself that I can.”

“Man,” Cameron breathed out after giving me a firm kiss on the forehead. “That potion is something, huh? This bravery—like really gutsy.”

I paused and contemplated what he said. I’ve been thinking of this since he’s brought it up in the alley. This wasn’t the effects of a Calming Draught. If one was effective then I would be in a more dream like state—almost numb to everything. This wasn’t a potion—this was raw bravery. This was me and I had no idea where this was coming from. I wasn’t a Gryffindor, I was a Ravenclaw. I wasn’t brave—I was clever. But suddenly I was brought back to my first year, like it was yesterday and not almost a decade ago.

“Another Weasley”, the hat had said. “Your family has a place, a pattern, thrones amongst the brave and valiant. You would fit in there.”

“But I’m not brave,” I remember thinking. I was shaking head to toe on that little three legged stool. I was almost convulsing in fright. “I’d rather find a smart way to get out of a tree than launch myself towards the ground like Fred or Victoire would do. Sure I do stupid stuff on my broom but that’s not before I thought it out first. I don’t go with reckless—I’m more meticulous.”

The hat had laughed at that word, meticulous. It said it was impressive for the brains he usually delves into and then he stated those fateful words. “Ravenclaw!”

My history was set in stone that day. I was the first Weasley to be sorted into anything but Gryffindor—at the major shock of my family. At first I felt left out and rather lonely without Fred and Victoire at my side. But I grew to it—my cleverness and wit—and I never really did regret not having the brave gene. But the Sorting Hat was right. I did have that small quality that would’ve fit me into the puzzle of Gryffindor. It just didn’t have an opportunity to show itself until now.

“Actually—I don’t think that ever started working,” I admitted once I had fully worked out this personality puzzle that warped my mind. Cameron gave me a confused look and I shrugged.

“I must have thrown it up. This is all me—this is my inner-Gryffindor dwarfing that Ravenclaw blood,” I laughed. Cameron gave me a quirked eyebrow (he’d gotten the house explanations at lunch that day) and gave me an impressed look.

“Well look who didn’t carve a new path for her family after all. You may be the first to be in a new house in a century or whatever—but I guess you’ll always be a Weasley,” he laughed, opening the door to the Green Room. It was calm—people lounging around and waiting for their performances. Cameron glanced at the telly in the corner that displayed the stage and grimaced.

“Shit—I gotta go get ready for the Fire’s performance. We sing and then I close for intermission,” he stated—giving me a quick kiss and heading towards the boys’ changing area. Leah hurried over and slipped me my wand, which I gratefully took and stuck into my boot.

“Cecelia is getting dressed—” she stated, looking at me apprehensively.

“Yes, she is,” I replied, going over to Sarah who looked quite miserable while Cecelia bossed her around.

“It doesn’t have enough glitter and glam Sarah. Don’t you have anything else?” she whined, twirling in front of the mirror. I beg to differ—not only was her short dress completely covered in large heavy rhinestone like jewels but a blue and black feathered tail/train thing. Leah looked appalled.

“You look like you’re bloody covered in the Crown Jewels, Cecelia. It’s what you have—deal with it,” Sarah snapped before turning to me. Cecelia had huffed off towards hair and makeup and Sara looked like she was going to cry.

“Why are you giving this to her?” she declared.

“Because I was late,” I answered. “Even if Giles gives it to me—it wouldn’t be right.”

So I was lying through my teeth—but I very well couldn’t say I was being blackmailed.

“But you’re dress was so brilliantly fabulous!” she whined. I grinned; exactly what I wanted her to say.

“Well I was wondering if I could get all done up for the hell of it? Everyone is wearing a mishmash of costumes for the finale anyways,” I stated in a hopeful voice. Sarah brightened and clapped her hands together.

“Of course! Brilliant! They girls will have a blast! We have no one to get ready during intermission anyways. Leah—you’re lipstick is smudged. Don’t go off snogging Tanner once you have red on. Go fix it,” Sarah announced—turning abruptly to Leah, who immediately blushed with the sudden spotlight of the micro-managing designer. She mumbled apologies and shuffled off towards the makeup area as Sarah motioned for me to follow her. She began to deftly flip through the hangers until she pulled a frock off the rack. It was actually the first time seeing my dress and my jaw dropped.

It was fully gold sequined, but not in the over the top way of Cecelia’s dress. It was simpler; a t-shirt type dress with cap-sleeves that hit a good few inches above the knee and cinched in at the waist with a black satin bow.

“It’s amazing,” I gasped, grasping at the hem. Sarah positively beamed at me.

“It pretty much came as is—the only thing I had to do to it was the bow belt. I just saw it—thought of your song and how bright and cheery it was—and new it was perfect for you,” Sarah babbled on, looking down at my shoes and frowning. “You can keep those on. Go change.”

I sighed in thanks and snatched the dress, quickly putting it on and trying to see all of me in the small bathroom mirror.

“C’mon! Get out here! Cameron’s performing!” Leah exclaimed, banging on the bathroom door. I gasped and flew out of the room and clutched onto her—allowing her to lead me to the wings. They were just finish up the band number—an upbeat song titled ‘Tonight, Tonight’. Cameron was currently perched on top of the bass drum; suddenly he turned around and kicked mid-air, slamming down on his guitar and rushing over to the mic to sing back up. They ended with a clash of the drums and I cheered along with the audience. The other guys cleared off quickly, slapping my palm as they passed and Cameron stayed on stage—replacing his guitar with an acoustic one. My breath caught in my throat—he hasn’t let me hear this song yet and I was absolutely dying in anticipation. He dragged a stool to the center and perched on top of it, adjusting the mic stand to his level.

“Hello everyone—I’m Cameron. I could talk here for a bit—but I feel like someone would throw something. So I’m just going to say this. It’s a new song that I wrote for someone particularly special,” he looked off stage at me and I waved, giving him a huge smile. “This one’s for you Dom.”

I felt my cheeks heat up. I didn’t think he would actually say my name. I heard a few whoops that sounded distinctly like Fred, Lou, James and Kent but then the acoustic guitar picked up and Cameron began singing.

“I sing for you/And only you/Where ever I go I find you/You’re in the sound of every hello/In everything I do/You’re the song I was destined to know/And I only sing for you.”

The song was a very simple string of chords and played by simply plucking the strings instead of strumming the guitar. I felt my heart leap into my throat and I covered my mouth with my hands. The only time I’ve seen Cameron just sit and sing like this was when he didn’t know I was watching that very first day of lessons. When it was just him and the music and nobody to impress. That’s how he was now. Just him and the song. Eyes closed and soul bared for all to see.

“You went away/ I should have known /You leave so many dreams behind you/Thought I’d be fine just being alone/I didn’t have a clue/But my heart had a mind of its own/And would only sing for you.”

I felt a single tear drop from my eye and I quickly brushed it away. I never understood how he felt to see me choke up with stage fright every time.

“You’re in the sound of rain/Clouds in a winter sky/In a thousand unsaid words/In a thousand crazy reasons why/You were meant to fly.”

He looked at me then and smiled slightly before turning towards the audience again. He really believed in me. He believed in my abilities and who I was.

“So fly for me /And day by day/I’ll keep hoping your heart reminds you/Nothing but love can stand in our way/But love can see us through/Maybe that’s all I wanted to say/I will always sing for you/I will always sing for you.”

And the song ended with a smile and a simple strum of chords. Cameron grasped the neck of his guitar and murmured a soft thank you before the curtain fell to the sound of thunderous applause.

“I’ll just leave you two to—well yeah,” Leah grinned, squeezing my shoulder and walking off. I forgot she was there. The tears were falling from my eyes unashamedly now and Cameron was grinning like a total loon as he got to me.

“Well—do I affect you that much? I’m honored,” he laughed. I shook my head and attempted to get control of myself. It took a couple seconds but finally I could speak again.

“You believe in me,” I managed to get out. Cameron looked taken aback.

“Well duh—I’ve been telling you that for weeks.”

“But now I get it. I mean I got it before but now I get it. You really love me.”

Cameron beamed at me and scooped me into his arms, burying his face in my hair.

“I really do love you. Crazy and all,” he laughed.

“I love you—that was beautiful. It was completely beyond words,” I gasped into his chest.

“Well I just accomplished the impossible, huh? Struck you absolutely speechless.”

“Oh stuff it. Okay—I have to finish my hair and make-up. Cecelia is on fourth, after Leah and Kenzie. I’ve got to get in the right frame of mind,” I announced suddenly. It was all hitting me so fast. My one and only chance was ticking nearer. Cameron stiffened.

“What are you doing exactly?” he questioned in a whisper.

“I don’t want to jinx it,” I admitted. I was too afraid to say it out loud. Then it would be real. This was beyond complex magic that I haven’t fully practiced. I spent those hours horded in Flourish & Botts frantically reading anything I could on the subject. Normally I would go to the library but this was the next best thing on the subject. I wasn’t adept to this type of magic—yes I was good at Charms but not without the proper practice and preparation. It could end up being completely disastrous and I could potentially make things worse. But I had to try—I couldn’t just roll over and comply with her. I wouldn’t.

“Is it difficult?” Cameron questioned, breaking me from my thoughts.

“Yes. My Aunt could do it at my age—but she practiced and prepared for months because she had to. I wasn’t supposed to learn it until this year at the most and I only had a few hours to soak the process in my brain. Its complex at its easiest and it could be dangerous. One can only go so far on theory which is what I was running off of before my little errand,” I sighed. Cameron blinked at me.

“Leah’s right—you really are a genius,” he grinned.

“Well—‘Wit beyond measure’,” I quoted. Cameron gave me a blank look and I smiled. “I’ll explain later—but I have to go get ready.”

…

“Alright—I’m going on stage. You’re supposed to be after me. You sure you have a plan?” Leah quipped, hovering between the Green Room and the stage. I gave her a quick nod and she gave me a concerned look.

“I’m just mentally preparing myself,” I admitted, giving her a little shove. “Now go. You’ll be brilliant.”

Cecelia pushed past me to wait in the wings for her number and I gave a shuddering breath. Cameron was at my side in seconds.

“You ready to do whatever you’re doing?” he questioned. I gave him a terse nod and lead him to the stairwell that split off one way to the lighting catwalk and the next way to the musical pit.

“I need you in the wings. If this works you’re going to have to save Cecelia from the stage,” I ordered, slipping my wand out of my boot. Cameron’s eyes widened and he gave me a nod. “I also won’t see you until after I sing. I’m going to be stuck down there. I was talking to Sarah and she told me about this platform that rises up into the stage. I plan on using that.”

“Well that will be an entrance,” Cameron whistled. I shrugged; I didn’t plan it that way I just wouldn’t be able to make it back out of the pit unnoticed and on time. I bit my lip. If I pulled this off I would be up there all by myself and there would be no turning back. I felt the dread sticking in my stomach and I turned to Cameron. Leah’s song was just starting.

“Maybe I should just let her sing,” I questioned quietly. Cameron’s eyes grew wide.

“No way. You can do this. You are brilliant. I’ll be in the wings,” he ordered sternly. I looked into his eyes and his song surged through me. He believed in me so I needed to believe in me. I stood on my tip toes and gave him a quick kiss before adjusting my hair. The styling team gave me beachy waves and very natural makeup but with very dynamic eyes. I looked too good to not sing. Oh Merlin—I just need to keep telling myself these things. I broke from the kiss and took a step back from Cameron. With a deep breath I tapped my wand on top of my head. The sensation of an egg cracking on my hair trickled down my back and I shivered.

“Whoa,” Cameron breathed, squinting in my direction.

“Disillusionment Charm…blends me into the background,” I explained, grabbing his hand. He jumped slightly at the sudden contact but gave it a squeeze. “Wish me luck.”

“You don’t need it. You’re fantastic on your own,” Cameron replied, looking lovingly in my general direction. I nodded, even though he couldn’t see it, and as carefully and quietly as I could I walked down the stairs. I eased into the pit—which was just ending Leah’s song. The audience was applauding madly and I took this opportunity to creep in between music stands, allowing the clapping to muffle the sound of my heels. When I reached center, right in front of the piano, I settled down and took out my wand to test my aim. I would be able to hit the person standing on center stage directly. I took a couple of calming breaths and began to process theory and the steps it took to properly do this charm. I could feel my heart slamming against my rib cage and I was almost sure Ethan could hear it. It was as if it was slow motion—the curtain pulling upwards to reveal a beaming Cecelia. She quickly adjusted her face mic and as the band started to play I took my chance.

With a deep breath I pointed my wand at her forehead (hoping I was close enough) and closed my eyes so I could concentrate. I pulled all the memories forward. All of our time in the alley, her exact song, every little detail and focused it to the front of my mind. My eyes snapped open and I could feel my fingers tingle.

“Obliviate,” I whispered, allowing the music to cover the noise, twisting my wrist and pulling my wand back towards me. That’s it, Dominique, pull out the memories you wish the subject to forget. Suck them directly into your wand. Focus on the memory. Focus, focus. And suddenly—mid breath—Cecelia’s eyes went all unfocused and she blinked out at the audience, freezing in place. The band continued playing—looking at each other and looping the music back around. Cecelia opened her mouth to sing again and furrowed her brow. She couldn’t remember her song. She couldn’t remember what I was. I did it. I actually did. I performed a memory charm without completely erasing her memory. I made her think she just forgot her song and never followed us to the alley at all. Suddenly Cameron was rushing on stage with a mic in his hand. The band stopped playing. I could hear the fervent whispering of the audience just behind me. I took this chance to crawl forward to the bowels of the stage and position myself on the platform. I undid the disillusionment charm and waited.

“And that was the farcical performance of the night! New thing we’re doing! Cecelia Davoren everybody!” he exclaimed, clapping his hands together. Slowly the audience followed suit—albeit very unenthusiastically. I heard their footsteps and quickly tapped the platform with my wand. It started going. I shoved my wand in my boot and took a huge breath as I rose into the light. I needed to do this. For my family, for Cameron, and most importantly for me.

…

There was a large gasp from everyone as I hit the spotlight and a huge amount of applause. I smiled sheepishly and looked offstage. Cameron quickly tossed me a mic and I caught it, clipping it into the stand and grinning at the sea of faces in front of me. I could do this. I had to do this. I glanced down at Ethan, Justin and Paul who all looked very confused at my sudden appearance but shrugged. I gave them a short nod and looked forward to sing my song. The guitar suddenly started strumming and I took a deep breath. Just sing. Forget they’re there. Just sing. Just let it happen so fast you don’t have to think about it. I just let the intro sweep me into the song and then I was singing.

“Stop me on the corner/I swear you hit me like a vision/I, I, I wasn't expecting/But who am I to tell fate where it's supposed to go with it?/Don't you blink you might miss it/See we got a right to just love it or leave it/You find it and keep it/Cause it ain't every day you get the chance to say…”

I took a deep breath and unclipped the mic, grabbing on the stand as I was carried into the chorus.

“Oh, this is how it starts, lightning strikes the heart/It goes off like a gun, brighter than the sun/Oh, we could be the stars, falling from the sky/Shining how we want, brighter than the sun.”

And it was like I was never scared in the first place. Suddenly it was just me and the music. It was pumping in my veins, in my heart, in my soul. It was just there and it was like I belonged to it all along.

“I've never seen it, but I found this love I'm undefeated/You better believe, I'm gonna treat it better than anything I've ever had/Cause you're so damn beautiful read it,/It's signed and delivered let's seal it/Boy we go together like peanuts and paydays and Marley and reggae/And everybody needs to get a chance to say…”

I paused here and looked off stage at Cameron who was smiling so wide I feared his face would break in two and then I was right back to the chorus again. I was shaking my hips, twirling my hair and honestly having the time of my life. I perched on a rehearsal cube and clutched the mic with both hands, looking out at the audience as I hit the bridge after the second chorus.

“Everything is like a white out, cause we shika-shika a shine down/Even when the, when the light's out but I can see you glow/Got my head up in the rafters, got my happy ever after/Never felt this way before, ain't felt this way before…”

And I jumped up, holding my hand out at my hip with a flat palm as I basically spoke the last couple lines in the first verse. My moment. The moment where I was struck down and I’ve been lost to him ever since.

“You stopped me on the corner/I swear you hit me like a vision/I, I, I wasn't expecting/But who am I to tell fate where it's supposed to go?”

I almost didn’t want the last chorus to go so quickly. It would mean this rush was over. That I was done. I didn’t want to be. I wanted to stay up here under these lights and sing forever. But I knew it had to end, so I was going to end it with a bang. I took center stage after the short period of vocal riffs and note holds and stood firmly under the spotlight. And for the last time this summer—I took center stage.

“It goes off like a gun, brighter than the sun!”

The feeling I got from the applause warmed me from the inside out. It rang in my ears and I barely registered the very loud cheering from the side. There were cat calls and whistles and I chanced a look over. I could barely make out a line of red hair—but I blew a kiss in their direction and the curtain fell, leaving me center stage to bask in my accomplishments for a moment.

₰:Cameron:₰

The showcase ended in a flurry of hugs to Dominique from me and Leah, one very confused but upset Cecelia (she couldn’t believe she actually forgot the song), and a very beautiful song. As the curtain fell for the final time the company let out their usual chorus of whoops and cheers. I grabbed Dominique around the middle and spun her into a circle. We were soon engulfed by the band (pretty much as soon as I put her down) and Jason hoisted her over his shoulder.

“You were AMAZING! Like completely and utterly amazing,” he announced spinning spastically in circles.

“Jason! Put me down! I’m sure I’m flashing everyone!” Dominique shrieked, slapping at his back.

“Don’t put her down,” came a chorus of three other voices. I glared at Tanner, Kyle and Nathan who merely smiled innocently at me.

“Spectacular show everyone! We are so proud of you, what a fantastic way to end the season!” Jenks exclaimed. There was another group cheer.

“Now you tossers all visit your families and loved ones and we’ll see you all at the cast party at eleven sharp!” Giles added. There was a collective cheer. Cast party always got a bit crazy—it had the makings of a high school prom with drama, hook ups, and breakups and plenty of contraband to sustain it all (not that Giles and Jenks necessarily knew about said contraband). There was the usual flood towards the Green Room and subsequently the lobby but Giles intercepted our path.

“Go ahead,” Dominique commanded to the guys and Leah. They all shrugged and continued on, leaving Giles grinning down at Dominique.

“Quite the entrance,” he declared. Dominique blushed and gave a slight shrug.

“I’m just happy Cecelia messed up and I actually got to use it. I just had a feeling I would get lucky,” she answered finally. Giles quirked and eyebrow and rubbed his beard before hefting a sigh.

“That was a rather brilliant Memory Charm. How many have you done before? To make her forget the song—quite devious really. Did you modify anything else?” he questioned. Dominique’s jaw dropped. I didn’t think it was possible to get closer to the floor than mine was at the moment—but she did.

“You’re—what?!” she shrieked. Giles merely grinned.

“Shut your fat gobs. And by the way—saw the scar on this one’s leg. Can’t believe you splinched the poor guy. Amateur really,” he scoffed. Dominique’s eyes flashed.

“I was panicked and he just grabbed me mid-apparition. And for your information; yes, it was the first one I’ve performed. Nearly wiped myself out doing it—surprised I had the energy to perform at all,” she answered hotly.

“Cecelia poked her nose into our business and threatened to tell everyone so Dom made her forget that whole situation and the song she was singing,” I explained, finally finding use of my vocal chords.

“She’s quite the cow—isn’t she?” he grinned.

“How’d you find out?” Dominique questioned suddenly.

“I’ve known since you registered. How many Weasley’s are there in the world, really? Magical or not. Tara confirmed it. Who do you think told Tara what she was? Quite lucky I didn’t want a magical career. Quite a shock to poor Jenksey though—finding out her daughter and one of her closest friends are magic. I just thought you wanted to be inconspicuous, that’s all. This is the only place you can escape your last name,” he explained, throwing an arm around Dominique’s shoulder. “Now go see your family. Brilliant performance, by the way, knew you had it in you.”

Dominique managed to drag me away from Giles, who was still smirking at us. I was having trouble coming to terms with this. Giles has taught me pretty much everything I know about music was a wizard. It makes me wonder exactly how many are hidden amongst the normal masses.

“Stop looking so shocked,” Dominique laughed, pausing at the Green Room door.

“Aren’t you?” I scoffed. She shrugged and reached up to brush some hair out of my face.

“Well of course, but I’m still kinda on a performance high and I’m not letting that get me down,” she announced, pushing open the door and making her way down the hallway. There was a loud cheer as we came in view of the hallway, causing several alarmed looks from our fellow performers. Dominique merely blushed and allowed Lily to crash into her stomach.

“That was amazing!” she exclaimed, looking up at both of us.

“Why thank you Lily-flower,” Dominique laughed, making her round of hugs. I was suddenly crushed by a flurry of red hair.

“Your song was lovely,” Dominique’s Grandmum sobbed. “Absolutely lovely. Oh, the love you have for our ickle Dommykins.”

“Grandmum! Stop it!” Dominique laughed, extracting me from her grasp.

“Good show. Good show,” her granddad grinned, looking all around him. “How did they change those light colors? Color changing charm?”

“Arthur!” was followed with several hissed ‘Dad’s’ and a sheepish Granddad Weasley.

“Just curious is all,” he admitted.

“Can you introduce me to the one in the leather? I’ve met her before.” Fred questioned, coming along side me.

“Leah?!” Dominique and I gasped at the same time.

“Whatever her name was, she was fit and I’m smitten,” he laughed. Dominique rolled her eyes as Kaylie, Kent and James rounded up to us.

“I prefer those dancers. Did you see the way they bended?” James declared. Kaylie gave him a disturbed look and he turned red.

“I mean—I prefer them totally nonbendable. Like you,” he coughed, before giving Kaylie a quick kiss.

“No—but really, James is right,” Kent whispered to me. I laughed and turned around to see Louis looking towards a group of our peers. Colby was making eyes at him and Louis frowned—probably remembering his last encounter with him.

“Dominique! Is this the rest of your family?!” Leah squealed coming over. Unfortunately for Fred she had changed back to her dress from the opening number. He didn’t seem to mind very much though because he pushed Louis out of the way and launched himself at her.

“Hullo there beautiful, my name’s Fred. I believe we’ve met before,” he announced holding out his hand. Leah looked taken aback for a moment but blushed and shook his hand. Louis and James were glaring at him, probably because he stepped on them in his way over. The rest of the guys had joined us now and were being introduced.

“Dominique—your family is huge,” Tanner stated, eyeing Fred slightly. He put a protective arm around Leah’s waist and Fred drooped considerably.

“Wanna introduce me to the tall blonde one?” Kyle questioned in a loud whisper.

“My sister? That’s her boyfriend next to her. Say hi, Ted!” Dominique declared. Teddy laughed and gave the band a sarcastic wave. Kyle immediately changed tactics.

“What about the tiny red head—with the curls? Or the one next to her—the tan one?” he whispered. Dominique blinked.

“Molly and Roxy? No way are you even getting near my fifteen year old cousins you git,” she snapped. Kyle frowned slightly and sulked off towards a dance girl.

“You really need to find him a boyfriend,” Dominique commented dryly.

“We’re working on it,” Jason sighed as Nathan nodded sagely.

“CAMERON!”

I flipped towards the voice and looked around wildly. It can’t be. Suddenly a flurry of brown hair careened into my stomach and I felt my breath hitch.

“Carly? What the hell are you doing here?” I questioned, kneeling down and embracing my little sister. She buried her face in my neck and laughed.

“We surprised you huh? You were great—you too guys,” she announced pulling away and looking at the band. Nathan was pouting.

“No hello for me?” he questioned.

“Nope. We’ve gone over this before,” she answered hotly. I stood up and left them arguing and searched around. Finally I saw her and pushed through several people before scooping my Mom in a huge hug.

“What the heck are you doing here!? How could you afford it?!” I demanded pulling her at arms length.

“No ‘good to see you Mom’? No ‘I love you’?” she laughed. I rolled my eyes and she smacked me lightly across the chest.

“We had to make it down to what was probably your last year here! Now introduce me around,” she demanded, looping her arm through mine. Dominique was already chatting to Carly—introducing the two cousins that were friends with Tara. She stood and gave my Mom a hug before turning to everyone (briefly giving her grandfather a warning look).

“This is Cameron’s Mum all. Mrs. Hutchinson—this is my family.”

“Now there’s a lot of us—but don’t worry, we’re friendly,” Mr. Weasley declared. He had created a great red beard that covered a majority of the scars, but he came forward with Dom’s mom immediately taking mine under their wing. Dominique grinned at me and slipped her arm around my waist. I bent down and gave her a kiss on the top of her head. We watched our two families (mine including the band, who was chatting animatedly with Teddy, James, Fred and Kent while Kaylie, Leah, Louis and Colby talked) mingle with each other in perfect harmony. Non-magical and magical alike.

“It was a pretty good summer,” Dominique stated suddenly. I laughed and tilted her chin up so I could give her a proper kiss. A crumpled up program hit the side of her head and she broke apart to glare at Fred who was grinning innocently.

“Know what’s been stuck in my head?” I questioned. She looked up at me with questioning eyes.

“The finale song. It’s really inadequately named. ‘Finale B’; Rent should be more innovative than that,” I scoffed. Dominique laughed and turned to face me so she could wrap her arms around my neck.

“But the lyrics are pretty great. ‘No day but today’. If you think about it—it’s kinda the anthem of my summer experience. If I hadn’t embraced the day I would’ve never auditioned for the program.”

“And then you would’ve never met your incredibly handsome boyfriend,” I added. Dominique scoffed and lightly smacked my chest.

“No—I wouldn’t have. Maybe I should embrace my inner Gryffindor more often?”

“Or you know just take center stage more often. That’s always a great confidence booster,” I laughed. Dominique looked seriously contemplative for a moment before she nodded.

“I’ll definitely be taking center stage more often from here on out. Thank you for making me realize that.”

I bent down and gently blanketed my lips over hers. As much as she keeps saying I taught her things this summer—she really taught me so much more; acceptance in any situation, to pursue my real music, and most importantly that even I can love someone. Yeah, it’s been a good summer.

A/A:

Songs to Listen to:

Opening- Don’t Stop by Fleetwood Mac used Glee Version

Fire’s Redemption- Tonight, Tonight by Hot Chelle Rae

Cameron- I Sing For You from the movie Camp

Dominique- Brighter Than The Sun by Colbie Callait

So that’s it! The end of ‘Center Stage’! Expect an epilogue soon, but I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it. I hope I did this last chapter justice. I was contemplating breaking it into two chapters at one point, but I didn’t want to interrupt the flow. I hope I also did the song parts correctly and entertaining for you guys to read. Let me know your thoughts!

Forever Yours Magically

Emily

PS: I do have to thank one VERY dedicated reader Zepheus. You my darling have stuck with me through this whole story. I consider you one of my most dedicated readers and reviewers. You weren’t afraid to give me constructive criticism or ask questions and I really appreciate it.

A/F: I didn’t get a single review for this chapter. I’m not complaining because I promised you guys I wouldn’t be the author that pushes for reviews, I just found it strange. I know I said I’d get this up Sunday but I ended up going to bed early because I started Uni the next day. So far I’m really, really excited about this year and I will try to write in between my busy schedule so you guys have another story to read! I have tomorrow off so you’ll probably get the finish of this story tonight unless I decide to do an epilogue. Love you all! Thanks for sticking with me until the end! Forever yours magically, Emily

                  “How do they bend that way?”

                “I have no idea. Ooh—how do they not get dizzy spinning so many times around?”

                “You can break me off a piece of that fitty man candy there. Bloody delicious he is.”

                “I didn’t even know the human body was able to do that—blimey, why didn’t I do dance instead of sing?”

                “It’s fucking hot.”

                The six of us all peeled our eyes away from the stage to stare at Tanner.  

                “What?! I know you were all thinking it. Even you, Dom,” he scoffed before turning back towards the stage. His jaw dropped as the female dancer launched herself at the male, who caught her deftly over his shoulder, aiding her into some sort of flippy thing mid air until she landed in the splits on the ground. The boys all hissed at the sight. We’ve been waiting around for the dance to finish up their numbers before we moved onto the theatre portion. The stage was all set up and ready to go for tonight. It was mostly empty except for a small bare metal balcony on stage right with stairs down that had a support pole smack dab up the middle, all there for the drama numbers and a plain white sheet that spaced the expanse of the back of the stage. The lighting crews have been working really hard lighting each number to fit perfectly with the feeling it gave off.

                “What’d I miss?” Leah questioned from somewhere to my right. I couldn’t be bothered with tearing my eyes away from the dance in fear I’d miss some other amazing feat. Apparently everyone else had the same decision because there were only noises of acknowledgement that she was there. “Thanks for the greeting guys. So, what do you think of my costume?”

                Slowly all of our eyes peeled away from the show on stage to look at Leah. Er—phwa. What dancers?

                “Holy shit,” Tanner breathed out. Jason absentmindedly slapped him upside the head as he unashamedly checked out Leah. I don’t blame him and I wasn’t even into the female gender like that. They had her in skin tight leather pants paired over a tight black bodysuit with a sweetheart neckline, so not only did you get a nice view of her cleavage the pants displayed every perfect curve. She shifted uncomfortably in the over the knee suede stiletto boots and fumbled with the zipper on her red leather motorcycle vest.

                “It’s too much isn’t it? I mean I know the character is supposed to be over the top but—” she trailed off pursing her painted ruby red lips and smoothing down her long sleek high pony tail.

                “Leah—where have you been all my life?” Tanner choked out. Leah blushed bright red as Colby jumped up and tossed an arm around her shoulder.

                “Baby—if I was straight I would so totally tap that. You are a complete fitty sweetie,” he sang. Leah gave a small smile and turned to the auditorium chair. She frowned.

                “I don’t think I can fully sit in these pants.”

                “Come perch on me! It’ll totally be okay!” Tanner shouted out, jumping up and tripping over Cameron in his path over towards Leah. He’s been steadily flirting with her for the past few weeks but he hadn’t actually made a move yet. Looks like Leah needed to slut it up to get his full attention. I don’t know whether that’s a bad thing or if that’s just a Tanner thing?

                “Way to move for sublety, Tan. I don’t think she’d want—eh—certain things poking her,” Kyle giggled. Tanner’s ears turned red as he jumped up from the ground.

                “I mean—I’m just trying to be helpful,” he stuttered out as Kenzie made her way over from the row behind us. She, unlike Leah, was more subdued in costume, wearing a tight knee length gold shift with a sweetheart neckline and her hair in a low bun. She eyed Tanner impassively for a second before turning to Leah.

                “Wow—look at that! Sarah sure went full out with the designing of the costumes this year. Anyways Jenks wants to give us a final set of notes before we rehearse for the last time.”

                “Kay! See you guys around! Oh! Dom—are you actually going to rehearse today?” she questioned—eyeing me innocently. I felt my face flush as I sunk lower in my seat. I got out of the first dress rehearsal yesterday by making up an excuse for Giles. I told him I had to get my family their tickets at the inn they were staying at because they were from out of town and wouldn’t understand the Will Call system. Which is mostly true—I suppose. I just performed for him alone, plus my costume wasn’t ready yet according to the costuming and styling girls.

                “Well I have a quick meeting with my Aunt or Uncle or something—” I mumbled. Cameron frowned at me and I shrugged, trying to convey to him that I’ll discuss this with them in more private company.

                I needed to get a Calming Draught and Aunt Hermione finally finished it—just in time really. I knew I should be following what Cameron told me about just thinking about the song—but then I remember what it feels like to have all those eyes staring at me and I freeze before I can even start my positive thinking. I’m hoping the potion will put me in a better frame of mind.

                “You have to rehearse today—”

                “Thank you very much for informing me. I had no idea that the show was tonight. I was too busy contemplating my impending doom,” I snapped. Cameron rolled his eyes and gave me a kiss on the temple. He was far too sweet to me—especially with all the bickering I’ve been causing lately. It wasn’t my fault, as the days got nearer and nearer I found myself in a worse mood. At least the song is done and perfect. There’s always that to keep me in higher spirits. Honestly I don’t know what I’d do without Cameron. He picked exactly what I imagined the song to be directly from my brain and turned it into something alive and breathing.

                “Hey Cam?” I whispered. Cameron tore his eyes away from the latest performance—another dance number but this time with a lot of butt movements and arms set to a pounding bass—and raised his eyebrows.

                “Thanks—really, for everything. I don’t know if I could do this alone,” I stated hesitantly. Cameron’s smile grew all the way to his eyes as he leaned in to kiss me tenderly.

                “You know why I do this, right?”

                “Because you love me,” I snorted. Cameron rolled his eyes and gently ran the back of his hand over the side of my breast. I shivered.

                “No—it’s because you’re incredibly hot,” he replied. I smacked his wrist away as he giggled uncontrollably and straightened as Kenzie took the stage. She stood off to the side and nodded at Ethan down in the music pit, who cracked his fingers and started playing a couple chords. Suddenly Leah’s voice erupted around us as she burst out on top of the balcony. She was no longer Leah, the spaz, but this entirely different character that oozed confidence and sex appeal. We all blinked blankly at her. She slinked around the railing, dipping her hips and swaying around. She reached the chorus as she climbed down the stairs; finish it off in front of Kenzie. She fell to the ground and hugged Kenzie’s knees as she talked about being a tiger in a cage before Kenzie pushed her off. Leah lay on the ground, kicking one languid leg up and caressing her sides before jumping up again and going after Kenzie who sat primly on a rehearsal cube. She turned around and wiggled her arse in Kenzie’s face while mocking her before starting up with the chorus again and singing straight out towards us, her arms and fists accentuating every word.

                By the end of the chorus she had made her way over to the pole where she grabbed onto it for the next verse, hoisting herself up and doing a spin like an exotic dancer when she sang about how hot her character thought she was. She landed on the ground and swung innocently from side to side, mocking Kenzie as she called her ‘pookie’ and asked for a kiss. Suddenly it was like Kenzie couldn’t take it anymore, her voice sprang out of her deep and dramatic—it didn’t even look like this tall blue eyed, blonde haired beauty could produce such sound. The two spent the rest of the song singing back at each other in anger. I almost held my breath when the song reached its crescendo and the two of them sang directly out at the audience before snapping at each other and huffing offstage. Our row exploded in applause. Leah and Kenzie squealed offstage, running back on and grasping each other tightly—jumping and squeaking in each other’s arms.

                “Fabulous girls! It was perfect! I have no notes—except Leah. You need to wear those boots for the rest of the day so you get more used to them,” Jenks shouted from where she was perched in the center of the audience.

                Leah can running over to us a few minutes later, now clad in sweats and a jumper, the boots peeking out from underneath. Suddenly my pocket grew hot and I jumped. Aunt Hermione has fantastic timing.

                “Brilliant job—let’s go,” I sighed, getting up and yanking Cameron to his feet. Leah gave me a confused look but followed as I pushed out of the auditorium and into the empty lobby. Everyone was either in the hectic backstage or preparing for later. I strode purposely to the doors and started down the street, knowing just by instinct that Cameron and Leah were trotting behind us.

                “Where are we going?!” Leah whined, shrieking suddenly. I turned around to see Cameron hoisting her back to her feet where she almost fell onto the wet pavement—it must’ve only just stopped raining.

                “Sorry—I just don’t want to keep my Aunt from work for long,” I giggled, going back over and aiding her to her feet.

                “Well slow down will you? These shoes are awful to try to run in,” she groaned, shaking her head and looping her arm through mine.

                “How’d you know you’re Aunt was ready?” Cameron questioned, coming along my other side. I dug the old Galleon out of pocket and showed it to them.

                “She made her’s grow hot and mine responded. It’s less inconspicuous than patronuses.”

                “Well what does she want? Aren’t you going to see her tonight?” Leah questioned, struggling to keep up with me even thought she was attached to me.

                “She’s giving me a potion so I won’t freak out. It took forever for her to make because young unicorn horns aren’t available easily to people that aren’t potion masters or healers,” I explained, finally reaching the expansive and desolate ministry building. Cameron and Leah froze, looking at me apprehensively.

                “It’s where our Ministry of Magic is located,” I laughed, leading them down the side where the lifts let out at the employee exit.

                “Your Ministry has been this close to us all this time? I always thought this building was disgusting looking and what do you know? It houses wizards,” Leah squeaked, her eyes wide. I grinned and nodded, looking around the empty alley. It was all clear. I froze briefly when I thought I heard a noise from the mouth to the street but after a few tense seconds it was silent so I walked over to the side of the entrance, placing a hand upon it show all was clear. Suddenly the gigantic green dumpster shuddered and the front split completely in half and opened up like a pair of doors, ushering my bushy haired aunt out of its depths. Cameron and Leah both jumped in an alarmed way and Aunt Hermione grinned at them.

                “Hullo Cameron, how’re you today?” She questioned, looking towards the mouth of the alley. It was empty so she pulled out her wand and waved it over her beaded bag. A bottle of sky blue potion jumped out and into her palm. Leah giggled.

                “I’m great Mrs. Weasley,” Cameron smiled, accepting her kiss on his cheek graciously. I took the potion from her and drew Leah forward.

                “This is my roommate, Leah. Thank you so much for this, I’ve been fretting for ages,” I explained.

                “Of course, pet. And I’ve heard so much about you! The whole family is just buzzing with excitement over tonight! I would love to stay and chat but I really must be getting back to work,” she declared, giving Leah a brief kiss on each cheek and going back towards the dumpster. She tapped it with her wand and stepped inside its depths.

                “Wow,” Leah breathed out, looking at me in awe. “I wish I was like you. You’re Aunt is so cool. I can’t imagine how the rest of your family is.”

                I laughed and twirled my wand into the air and conjuring a glass. I quickly filled it with water from my wand before handing it to Cameron.

                “I’m going to need that. Calming Draughts taste specifically of mud and grime. I don’t know why,” I sighed, uncorking the potion. If I took it now it should kick in within the next hour and last for the performance. Aunt Hermione modified it.

                “To a brilliant performance!” I declared, holding up the smile vial before downing it in a few gulps. I shuddered when it hit my tastes buds, dropping the vial onto the floor and quickly grabbing the water and chugging it down as fast as I could. When I finished I could still vaguely taste the potion on the edges of my mouth.

                “Oh that’s vile,” I gagged, circling my wand and vanishing the glass as well as the shards on the ground. “Right—I guess I have to somehow get up on stage to rehearse.”

                “It’s not going to be that bad, babe. And that potion will be working by the time the house is packed,” Cameron grinned, swooping down and giving me a kiss. He grimaced as he pulled away.

                “You’re right, that’s disgusting,” he groaned, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Leah laughed and latched onto my elbow, I crooked it so we could walk together and offered Cameron my other hand.

                “Before we go can you do some magic?! I never get tired of it,” Leah gasped, stopping short. I sighed and looked around me before taking out my wand and pointing it at a rubbish bin lid. Soundlessly the metal began to fold in on itself, making it into a dome. The metal turned to a slick fabric and changed hot pink. Where the handle was a long pole now stood. I reached out to lift it up and hand it to Leah before frowning. Damn—it’s not as light as I wanted it. I will never get Transfiguration just perfect. Thank goodness I’m so brilliant at Charms or I wouldn’t know how I got into Ravenclaw. I mean I’m okay at transfigurations but lately when I’ve been trying it non-verbally it doesn’t work out just right. But the color charm was glowing brightly and I knew if I got it wet it would be completely impervious to water. I quickly jabbed my wand at it and suddenly it became feather light.

                “Bloody hell, I still can’t get the weight of the metal to transfigure completely. I always have to use a Feather Light Charm on top of it,” I sighed, passing the umbrella to Leah who was clapping and squealing like a child.

                “It’s still far more that we can do. You’ve impressed us either way,” Cameron declared, beaming and touching the fabric. There was a large crash and Leah dropped the umbrella with a shriek. I flipped around, my wand poised high and ready to strike when I froze. Cecelia had crashed into a trashcan in her obvious escape. Instead of looking flustered and confused when she turned to face us, she looked gleeful—but not in a pleasant way.

                “Well I was going to save this for later but now’s a good time as ever,” she stated calmly. I looked frantically at Cameron and Leah—they were both sheet white.

                “I’m an amateur magician—alright?” I managed to force out through my ever restricting throat. Cecelia rolled her eyes and gave a mirthless laugh.

                “No you’re not. You’re some sort of freak!” Cecelia declared, motioning to my wand, which I still had poised in front of me ready to attack. Cecelia folded her arms over her chest and advanced towards us, circling like a great blonde bird of prey. She raised her eyebrows at me as I stashed away my wand. I don’t think she even really knew what I could do to her—but there was no way I could stun her now or really do anything. There was too much of a chance of someone else seeing and we were far too close to the ministry.

                “Here’s the deal, Dominique darling. You’re going to give me your solo tonight,” Cecelia started levelly. Cameron stiffened and turned to her.

                “Just give it a rest Cecelia! Can’t you be a decent person for once in your life? It’s not even what you thought you saw!” he exploded, pushing me protectively behind him. I could feel the potion starting to take effect—way deep at the tip of my toes. It was going to feel like forever before it fully starts activating and I was near a panic attack now. I was completely frozen with fear. I could get my wand snapped for this! And the ministry will force me away from Cameron—the one thing that makes total sense to me!

                “I know she’s not natural. If she doesn’t give me that spot I’ll walk on stage tonight and tell everyone that she’s some sort of freak that can do magic or whatever. You know how many people come. You know there are reporters. You’re girlfriend will get her own show once they lock her up and perform tests on her.”

                “I won’t let you!” Leah shouted suddenly. I jumped and gaped at her.

                “Neither will I, Cecelia,” Cameron barked. He had a hand placed on my lower back but I wasn’t registering anything. It didn’t bring me any comfort.

                “Just think it over, Dom honey. It’s not like I’m really giving you much of a choice,” Cecelia sneered before turning on her heel and stalking off. Leah and Cameron started after her but froze when they noticed I wasn’t moving.

                “Dom, babe, everything’s going to be okay,” Cameron announced, coming over and placing his hands on my shoulders.

                “Dom—you’re so white!” Leah gasped, peering in at my face.

                I wasn’t truly registering what they were telling me. All I knew that this was bad and that I don’t think I could actually fix it this time. I quickly shoved Cam and Leah away and fell to my knees getting sick all over the side of the alley.

₰:Cameron:₰

We had sat there for a whole hour in that alley as Dominique alternated being sick, having a full blown panic attack, and being totally catatonic. I don’t think she heard a word Leah nor I said to her during the whole time. And then suddenly it all stopped. She looked up at us, calmly stood, made the mess vanish, and pointed her wand at her mouth before conjuring another glass of water. When her mouth was rinsed out (and I assumed clean after whatever spell she did before the water) and the glass gone she turned to us.

                “I need you two to cover for me,” she stated simply. Leah and I gaped at her. How can she go from being totally a mess to this in the space of a heartbeat? Man, that potion must be effing strong to work that abruptly.

                “Cover for you? What about rehearsal?” Leah gasped.

                “I can’t think of that now. Tell Giles an emergency came up. Don’t tell Cecelia I’m backing out—just let her think what she wants. I have to go somewhere. I’ll be back as soon as I can,” she stated, brushing off her jeans and pulling the hood of her sweatshirt over her head. I opened my mouth to argue with her—beg her to let me join her but she silenced me with one pleading look.

                “You need to say,” she sighed, placing a hand on my cheek. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. But I have to do this. I can’t lose my magic and most of all I can’t lose you.”

                I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded, pulling her close and slamming my lips onto hers. When I pulled away Dominique blinked at me before cocking her head to the side.

                “Why are you kissing me like I’m going off to die?”

                “Because I thought I lost you right there. I didn’t know what to do when you were like that. It scared me,” I replied honestly. Her stormy blue eyes softened and she kissed me again.

                “Leah, don’t look so scared. I’m going to fix it—I hope,” she stated, looking over my shoulder at Leah. I followed her gaze and released her to steady my friend. She looked frightened and like she was going to pass out.

“At least that potion is working. It’s good to figure out things calmly. It’ll help you do whatever you need to do,” I sighed, looking back at my stoic girlfriend. Dominique looked like she was about to agree with me when she suddenly paused and rolled her head around her neck, a small frown pulling at the corners of her mouth. She shook her head roughly and flexed her hands before furrowing her brow and shaking her head again. She shrugged and gave us a brief nod before walking farther down the alley. She turned on her heel and a loud crack sounded through the air. She was all twirled within herself and gone, leaving a pressing silence around us. Leah and I stood for another couple of moments before turning to each other.

                “Do you think we’ll have to stop being friends with her? I’ve never met a girl that’s been as close with me as Dominique has. She’s not a bitch like every other girl I’ve met,” she whispered. I held in a shuddering breath. I honestly had no idea but I could only assume from what she said. She didn’t want to lose me. Her Ministry would probably break us apart if Dom was the reason magic got revealed. There was a twisting feeling in my gut—like my stomach was being ripped from the outside in. Leah’s hand slipped in mine and she gently led me back towards the street.

                “I’m sorry I said that. Dominique is also one of the smartest people I’ve ever met. You should hear her sometimes—or see what she reads. She does her homework and the essays are often taller than I am. If anyone can fix this—it’s her.”

                “I can’t lose her, Leah. I really can’t. She’s what keeps me solid. She makes me miss home less. She makes everything easier,” I gasped, feeling that embarrassing burning in my nose. I wasn’t going to cry—I was a man damn it. Leah reached up and gently brushed my cheek. Looks like I went all pussy after all.  

                “Shh—it’s okay. I have faith in her. She’s my best friend after all,” Leah chirped. We somehow reached the front of the Program. I wasn’t even aware I was walking. I turned to Leah and she gave me a bright smile.

                “C’mon you have rehearsal.”

…

                “Cameron! Where’s your head right now?!” Giles shouted from the audience. I somehow made it through the band and I’s performance but now I was onstage rehearsing my solo and I just couldn’t get into it. Every I started to go into my special place I thought about how this might be the last thing I ever sing to Dominique and was ripped right out of it.

                “I’m—uh—just thinking about Dom’s family. I’m worried,” I admitted.

 Giles threw a hissy fit when he found out that Dominique went off. I don’t know whether he’s upset that Dom wasn’t there to rehearse or that there was a possibility that it was going to Cecelia. Of course Ce already assumed it was her spot from here on out and was driving the wardrobe and beauty girls insane with her incessant demands of the ‘best outfit’ they had. Leah looked like she was going to pop with the news but I got her distracted by sicking Tanner on her. He had finally succumbed to his crush and they were probably off making out somewhere but at least I didn’t have to worry about Leah cracking under pressure, which she was known to do.

                “Hey! Have you heard from her?” Tara shouted down from the pit where she was cleaning the music stands. I shook my head and went to start my song again but Giles blew the alarm on his bullhorn. I jumped and almost dropped my acoustic guitar.

                “Just go start getting into stage and makeup! We’ve got to prepare the auditorium,” Giles sighed into the megaphone. I rolled my eyes but dragged my stool offstage. Nathan was standing there eyeing me critically.

                “What’s up with you?” he questioned, rocking back on his heels. I sighed and stuck my guitar on its stand where all the instruments were sitting before running my hands over the side of my head.

                “I’m just really worried about Dominique,” I repeated—eliminating the biggest part of the truth. Nathan looked over where Cece was screaming at someone and shuddered.

                “I hope she gets back in time. Giles will probably give her the solo anyways. He has such a soft spot for her. If I were you I’d watch out for him,” Nathan teased, scuffing up the top of my hair.

                “Right, like I couldn’t take Giles,” I snorted, relieved that Nate could take my mind off the problem at hand if only for a moment. He’s always been good for that. It’s probably why we’ve stayed friends for so long. We always know what to say to cheer each other up properly. He gave me our guy hug that led into the secret handshake we created years ago and grinned at me.

                “So, I think I’m going to do a pit dive tonight. What do you think the odds of the orchestra catching me are?” he declared as we started for the dressing rooms. I looked briefly at the clock. The house was open in a half hour and everyone was pretty much in their pure black ensembles for the opening number. They were mostly perfecting hair and makeup and getting their jitters out by screeching and being generally very loud. I haven’t heard a thing from Dominique yet and I was worried. Not only that Cecelia knew her secret but that she wouldn’t get back in time. She deserved a time to shine. She was one of the only ones here that haven’t had the stage to herself at one point or another, whether it be in a weekend performance or in class. She deserved it too. I could live without her in the opening number—Giles already told Courtney from our group to take it if she wasn’t back. It was her solo I was fretting about.

                “Ten to none Paul, Justin and Ethan don’t catch you on purpose,” I finally answered, making Nathan laugh loudly. Twenty-five minutes to go. Please hurry, Dominique, please.

  A/A: So you guys are getting another chapter!!!!!! It’s going to be the conclusion to this story! I decided to chop it up for suspense purposes and mainly because I feared it would get too long. I still don’t know about an epilogue—leave me your thoughts on whether or not you’d like one and if you do want one what you want to see in it! Love you all!

Forever yours magically,

Oh, this is how it starts, lighting strikes the heart It goes off like a spell…maybe something else, brighter than the…something or whatever Oh, we could be the stars, falling from the sky Shining how we want, brighter than the…whatever I decide goes up there

                I let out a frustrated groan and ripped the sheet of paper from the pad, balling it roughly in my hands and tossing it in the general direction of the rubbish bin. Nothing bright rhymes with the word spell. The first and last set of lyrics weren’t right and I couldn’t think of two sets of things that would go together and be somewhat muggleish. I like the gist of where it was going, but it didn’t flow. It didn’t sound as smooth as the songs that I’ve heard the past couple of months. It was rubbish; therefore it belonged where I was chucking it.  

                “Whatcha angry at?” Leah questioned, skipping over and attempting to look over my shoulder. It didn’t matter; the sheet of paper was empty. Like my brain. And my creativity. I sighed and drew an angry scribble in the corner. This songwriting thing was not working out. Why was I even trying in the first place? I didn’t even know the beginnings of how to write a song, yet I was attempting it.

                “I’m rubbish at writing songs. Hell, it’s not even a song, it was just lyrics and I couldn’t even do that,” I sighed as Leah absentmindedly began to plait a chunk of my hair.

                “I’m sure they’re fine. You’re probably just being hyper critical. I wouldn’t throw away whatever you just chucked over there. Cam says the earliest versions wind up being the best,” she sighed, dropping my hair and bounding over to the small mountain of paper I threw in the corner. She gathered them in her arms, deposited it in my lap, and plopped back down on the couch. “So, are you going to tell me where you and Cameron disappeared to for four long days? Colby says you went on some great big sex raunch, but he’s kinda a perv. I just thought you guys took a little vacation or something? Please tell me it was a vacation because I don’t have the twenty bucks to cough up to Colby.”

                I sighed. I’ve been waiting for Leah to ask me such. Cameron and I only got back about an hour ago (no splinching this time, thank you very much) and I purposely avoided my room and any human contact. I just didn’t want to tell anyone yet, because once I did the specialness of it all would disappear. It would be public, no longer just ours. Oh for the love of Merlin, he’s turned me into a sentimental bint. I guess it was now or never.

                “Well, I brought him home to my family,” I started. Leah’s eyes widened and she smacked me hard against the thigh.  “Oi! Physical assault is not going to get the story out of me!”

                “Sorry! I didn’t mean to get so worked up—I just—well does that mean—he would have to--”

                “Yes, he knows,” I sighed, doodling an errant snitch on the corner of the still blank sheet of paper.

                “Oh my god! I can’t believe you decided to tell him! What changed your mind?!” Leah squealed, bouncing on her knees and furiously clapping her hands together. I shot her a wary look and she froze, repositioning herself into a more normal sitting stance. “Sorry, I forgot about the whole overly girly thing. But for real, spill.”

                I blew an errant piece of my fringe out of my eyes and started from the beginning—our huge fight in the auditorium. Leah was certainly quite the audience member; gasping at all the right places, cooing at others (more specifically when I told her about him telling me he loved me), and laughing about what my Uncle George did to him.

                “I told you he wouldn’t care!” she declared, wiggling her bum in what could only be a Leah-esque victory dance.

                “Yes, but that didn’t make it any less easy to deal with. I thought I killed him, Leah,” I sighed. “But after this weekend and how completely amazing it turned out—it really was amazing. Even I, a complete pessimist, can say that—I thought I could maybe channel these feelings somehow. And it all comes full circle to my completely awful songwriting skills.”

                “I can see you’re changing the subject on me and I will indulge you because you just shared a rather juicy story with me and didn’t skimp on any details. Now let’s look at these awful attempts,” Leah announced with a slight eye roll. Before I could even let out any shout of protest and cover my rejects with my body, Leah snatched a good handful from my lap and began flattening them back out.

                “No! They’re dead depressing, really. I think I’m just going to give it up as a bad job,” I whined, attempting to snatch them back. Leah gave me a raised eyebrow and ignored my efforts by holding me off with a swift protruding elbow. I tried to pull her arm away, but she squealed and flipped on her stomach so all my rejects and the main part of her body was on the opposite end of the couch.  I launched my body across her back, shouting out my protests, as she began to read my lyrics under her breath.

                “Whoa! Chick fight!”

                Leah and I looked up from our struggles, the quick change of movement sending us off balance and careening off the couch and to the floor. I pushed my hair off my forehead and attempted to gather up the wrinkled pieces of paper. Cameron bent down and began help me gather the paper off the ground. He glanced at one of the rejects as Tanner began complaining about how Kyle interrupted the ‘fight’ at the buildup of the ‘sexiness’ and if he just shut his trap we would’ve been far more entertaining. I shot him a dirty look that quelled his argument as Cameron gave me a confused glance.

                “Are you writing a song, babe?”

                “No! Don’t be ridiculous,” I spluttered, ripping it out of his hands and tossing them deftly in the bin. I had to resist the urge to Incendio the whole of its contents right there and then. Cameron was grinning at me as Leah giggled from where she righted herself. “Wipe that cheeky look off your face. Do you think the kitchens still have tea things out?”

                “She’s changing the subject! We have a liar in the house!” Jason exclaimed, doing an odd sort of jig thing.

                “Will you shut it,” I huffed, tucking my notebook in my bag and starting for the door. Cameron grabbed me round the waist and tossed me on the couch before plunking down and throwing his legs over my lap so I couldn’t move. “And get off of me, please?”

                “Nope, not until you share with the world what those pieces of papers are!” Cameron laughed.

                “This is hardly the world,” I snorted.

                “She’s changing the subject again!” Nathan crowed, plopping down on the other side of me and throwing his arm around my shoulders.

                “Will you guys shove off?”

                “No, I don’t think we want to Dominique darling,” Kyle declared, fluttering his eyelashes at me. Leah giggled again but bit down on her lip when I glared at her. It didn’t work, another giggle broke through.

                “What do you say, Leah-girl? Was a song in attempt here?” Tanner questioned, throwing himself backwards over the arm of the couch so his head was plopped in Leah’s laugh. I raised my eyebrows as Leah as the tips of her ears turned pink.

                “I think it was attempted,” she answered finally. The five guys cheered loudly and I felt my cheeks flush up.

                “I thought I’d give it a go, but I was total rubbish at it so it didn’t matter any ways,” I finally admitted, directing my eyes anywhere else but Cameron who was beaming at me.

                “Dom, why didn’t you tell me you were trying to write a song? How long have you been working on this? How many have you written?”

                “Will you calm down, Cameron? It was a spur of the moment thing. I was thinking about it at dinner tonight and just started trying but like I said everything I write is complete rubbish,” I snorted, relenting with a small shrug.

                “Let me see!” Kyle shouted, getting up and running to the trashcan. I let out a sharp shout and he froze.

                “Nobody is looking at those! Now get back here before I make you,” I growled. Kyle took one look at the glare I was shooting him and he slowly backed back to the couch, settling down with his back pressed against the edge of the sofa. Cameron cocked one eyebrow and got off the couch.

                “Cameron Hutchinson! Get your skinny arse back here,” I snapped, launching myself off the couch and clipping Nathan in the head in the process. I grabbed Cameron around the waist and dug my heels into the blue flecked carpeting of the rec-room.

                “I just want to check them out!” he laughed, plowing on like I wasn’t even attached.

                “Please!” I begged, contemplating stunning him and then modifying everyone else’s’ memories. “Now stop before I make you.”

                Cameron paused as he was scooping up the paper balls and shot me a look over his shoulder.

                “That’s illegal,” he pointed out. I narrowed my eyes at him as his bandmates snickered (probably misconstruing his words to something sexual because that’s just the way they thought).

                “I’d make it work,” I growled. Cameron sighed and began to juggle the worn pieces of paper.

                “I don’t see why you won’t let me just look at them.”

                “Because they’re embarrassing—and—well—personal,” I managed to choke out. There was a chorus of ‘ooh’s’ from the room and I gave our little audience an annoyed look.

                “Well can I just look at your rejects tonight? Just me,” he sighed, dropping the balls and gathering my waist with his hands. He pressed his forehead against mine and appropriately jutted out his bottom lip. “Please. Pretty please with sprinkles on top.”

                “Are you begging me?” I snorted. Cameron nodded his head and scrunched up his nose, furthering the jutting of hit bottom lip.

                “Has he always been this pathetic?” I questioned, leaning around him to look at the band.

                “No,” Nathan barked. “I think it’s your effect.”

                “I am so sorry then,” I laughed, trying to wiggle out of his grasp but he only tightened his grip on my waist, pulling me flush against him.

                “Just let me see the songs,” he sang, tilting his head to the side. I raised an eyebrow and he blanched slightly. He knows what I can do. “I know, I know. I’m pushing the annoyingness, but I really want to see what you came up with.”

                “Fine,” I relented, not really up for a fight that I didn’t have any energy for (frankly, it was exhausting), and the only way I was going to get out of it was to give in. As much as I hated giving in to anything, but this was the smart route and I am the smart one. “But only you. I don’t look forward to embarrassing myself in front of anyone else.”

                Cameron gave a loud whoop and promptly dropped my waist before scrambling to gather up my past attempts.

                “Way to hold out there,” Jason giggled. I shrugged and began to put my things back in my bag. I took a look at my watch before glancing around the room.

                “I’m way too tired to argue with him right now. Best to choose my battles, yeah?” I laughed, hoisting my bag upon my shoulder. I winced slightly. That bludger really got me in the arm, I should probably attempt to heal that tonight or I wasn’t going to be wearing any tank tops anytime soon. “As stimulating as this conversation has been, I think I’m going to head up to bed.”

                “So soon? It’s only like ten,” Tanner announced, looking up from where he was heavily flirting with Leah. She was positively levitating with happiness.

                “Yeah, I’ve had a rather big day. I’ll see you guys in session tomorrow. Hopefully Giles won’t bite my head off for missing so many days,” I declared, giving them a slight wave and starting towards the lifts. Footsteps bounded behind me as Cameron ran after and practically launched himself onto my back. I stumbled forward with a slight shriek, but was caught around the middle before we could tumble to the floor.   

                “You were going to walk away before I could say goodnight!” He exclaimed, continuing to walk with his arms wrapped around my stomach and causing us to waddle slightly. I laughed and twisted from his grasp, but captured his hand in mine as I jabbed the lift button.

                “Well you know--you were rather annoying back there.”                 “Excuse me for wanting to read my girlfriend’s creativity,” he laughed, pulling me into the box and backing me against the wall. He jabbed the floor button and planted his hand by my ear, tucking some hair away with his other. “I want to see what other talents you’re hiding from me.”

                “Well I told you, it’s not much of a talent,” I mumbled through the lips he planted over mine.

                “I’ll be the judge of that,” he laughed, moving his lips to my jaw and then peppering small kisses until he reached the hollow behind my ear. I bit my lip against the giggle that threatened to break out. The doors dinged open and I attempted to push back Cameron but a loud huff reached us first. Cameron moved back and I felt my cheeks flush up as Cecelia crossed her arms and held her palm against the lift door.

                “That’s just disgusting. Can you not ick up public places,” she snapped. Cameron grinned at her and gathered my hand in his.

                “You didn’t seem to have a problem with it last summer, Ce,” he quipped, ushering me out of the lift and into the hall. Cecelia made a rather unattractive squeaking noise as I gaped at Cameron’s profile. He hurried us down the hall and into my room before speaking again.

                “I know, not the best thing to say in front of your current girlfriend,” he began, lightly pushing me down on the bed as I glared at him. I was too shocked to even form words, anger notwithstanding. Who actually says things like that, let alone in front of their significant other? Isn’t that supposed to be a taboo? “But I knew it would get to her and she pisses me off.”

                “Is that supposed to be a legitimate excuse?” I managed to get out. I don’t want to think about Cameron doing what he was doing to me to any other girl. Let alone having him put it in my cerebral cortex. So send me Azkaban for being upset.

                “Dom, don’t look at me like that,” he sighed, crawling onto the bed next to me and planting his chin onto my shoulder. I resisted the urge to push him off. “It really was the first retort I could think of replying with.”I stiffened as he slipped his arms around my waist and lowered me so he was hovering over me. “I never felt for her the way I’ve felt for you. You know that. We’ve covered this whole thing.”

                “I know but I’m just angry you’re such a git,” I huffed. Cameron’s eyes crinkled as he grinned at me, the emerald color glinting in the moonlit room.

                “Does this mean you’re not angry at me?”

                “Of course not. It means you’re stupid,” I sighed. Cameron laughed, lowering himself slightly. I grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him down the rest of the way. “Just know you’re treading on thin ice, you big fat arse.”

                “I know,” he declared in between kisses. He moved to my neck again and instead of the desire to giggle, I had to hold back a moan that threatened to escape from the back of my throat. I felt him smile as he moved down to my collar bone, his fingers slipping under the edge of my top. I actually did let out a small moan then, hooking my fingers in his front belt loops and holding him tighter to me.

                “I can’t believe you tried to write a song,” he declared, lifting his head from where his lips were working and looking me in the eyes. I rolled my eyes and pushed the flop of hair off his forehead.

                “I’m telling you, they’re awful,” I groaned. He kissed my nose and rolled to the side, somehow wedging himself between me and the wall. He shifted around and released his hand, one of the paper balls clutched in his fist.

                “I told you that I’m going to be the judge of that,” he laughed, spreading it out flat and squinting at it in the dim light. I rolled off the bed (the whole two inches he left me) and lifted up my shirt. Cameron made an affirmative noise as I detached the wand holster and lowered my shirt again.

                “You could’ve left it up,” he grinned. I rolled my eyes at him and squeezed my eyes shut, thinking of my happiest memory. My silver fox erupted from the tip of my wand with the murmur of the spell and I sent it off to my parents before shedding my jacket and surveying my shoulder. Cameron hissed, the bed springs squeaking as he got off the bed.

                “That’s gnarly. Is it from the demon black ball?”

                “Yeah. Luckily I didn’t break anything because I don’t know if I could heal that,” I sighed, twisting around uncomfortably so I could place the tip of my wand against the large purple bruise. The door burst open and I over compensated my arm movements sending me crashing to the ground (yet again), somehow managing to hide my wand behind me. I let out a sigh of relief when it was just Leah.

                “Sorry! Was I interrupting something?” She questioned, noticing Cameron lounging on my bed.

                “Yes! You were interrupting us!”Cameron declared quickly, ushering Leah out the door.

                “Relax Cam, she knows,” I laughed, scooting against the bed and finally managing to heal my bruise. Cameron gaped at me before looking at Leah again.

                “She knew before I did?!”

                “Yeah,” Leah shrugged, throwing herself onto her own bed.

                “So not fair,” Cameron huffed. I gave Leah a raised eyebrow as I really took in her appearance. She was distinctly ruffled. She grinned and pulled her teddy bear into her lap, squeezing it to her chest and clearly holding back a squeal. Cameron looked between us, gave an impatient noise and knelt down so he could give me a light kiss.

                “We’re even for my comment in the elevator now. You told Leah first and I was an ass. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he laughed. I raised my eyebrows at him. I’m not quite sure it works that way, but I’ll let him off the hook. Leah waited until the door before bounding off her bed and pouncing onto mine.

                “Go ahead and spill, Leah. I can see you’re dying to,” I laughed, getting up and settling in next to her so she could prattle on about what happened between her and Tanner tonight. I welcomed the distraction of her own love life because if I didn’t than I would be thinking non-stop about how by tomorrow Cameron would think I was a blundering prat. Those lyrics really were quite awful.

  ₰:Cameron:₰

                  “Alright, I spent half the night really reading through each of these attempts,” I started, plopping down on the bench next to Dominique the next morning. She raised her eyebrows at me and silently passed a mug and the pot of coffee at the center of our table towards me. I gave her a grateful smile and quickly fixed myself a cup and took a large sip before continuing. “And frankly they’re not half bad.”

                Dominique flushed red and dunked her tea bag into her own mug of hot water (with a slight grimace; she prefers tea leaves) and tucked her hair behind her ears. “You’re just trying to get back on my good side after the whole lift situation last night.”

                “What happened in the lifts? Should I take the stairs from now on,” Colby purred, giving Dominique and I his signature look. I rolled my eyes and pulled out one of her best attempts. I had scribbled my own notes all over it but she had a good idea going.

                “No, I’m not sucking up to you. That would involve lots of compliments on your looks and probably me singing to you. But this, this has potential,” I remarked, ignoring Colby’s comment and flattening it out. She cocked her head to the side and examined it, biting lightly on her lower lip.

                “Even if I did work out the lyrics, I have no idea how to write music,” she declared finally, biting down onto her fork of fruit.

                “That’s what I’m for. I already have a few ideas,” I shrugged, pounding out a small beat onto the table. “If you replace the word ‘spell’ with ‘gun’ you can put in ‘sun’ and you have the chorus. Your verses aren’t bad at all. It just needs a good bridge, really.”

                “Well, do you think it would be ready by the final show?” she questioned hesitantly.

                “Since you’ve joined forces with me, yes. I can write a good song in a day—but for your sake I’ll take longer and make it phenomenal,” I declared, giving her a big smile and grabbing a couple pieces of bacon. She frowned slightly and ran her fingers through her hair.

                “Maybe. Let’s see how it sounds when it’s done, yeah?” she concluded finally. I grinned and hoisted my bag onto my shoulder, grabbing a few more pieces of bacon and my mug of coffee. “Where are you going?”

                “To work out some music,” I shouted over my shoulder. Nathan let out a large laugh (probably in regards to our ‘whipped’ conversation last night) as several footsteps followed after me.

                “You don’t need to get so worked up about this,” she sighed. I raised my eyebrows at her and she bit down on her lip.

                “It has potential to be amazing and I won’t rest until it is!” I announced gleefully. Dominique gave me a flat look but followed me to the elevators regardless.

                “You really don’t need to get so worked up,” she repeated. I rolled my eyes and gathered her in my arms, planting a kiss on the top of her head.

                “But I want to,” I whispered. I could almost feel her smiling. She flipped around and softly pressed her lips against mine. I grinned and started to deepen the kiss when the doors dinged open on our floor.

                “Really?! Do I have to go complain? I really hate having to catch you two macking out every time I try to take the elevator,” Cecelia hissed as we jumped apart. Dominique blushed again and pushed past her, earning a rather sharp shoulder check from Cecelia. She froze, her eyes flashing, before she turned on her heel and stalked towards the studio.

                “Was the really necessary Ce?” I sighed, giving her a pleading look.

                “She’s a no talent slut,” Cecelia shrugged. My eyes narrowed as Cecelia gave me a haughty look.

                “Jeeze Cecelia, way to hide that jealousy,” I snorted. “Stay away from her. She’s done nothing to you.”

                “That’s what you think. She’s not so innocent, Cammy boo,” Cecelia shouted after me as I made my way down to the studio. Dominique looked up from her perch at the piano when I stalked in and raised her eyebrows at my fuming expression.

                “She’s kinda a cow,” she sighed, plunking a scale or two up the keys. “I don’t know what you ever saw in her.”

                “She was good looking and I was shallow,” I replied begrudgingly before jumping onto the stage and grabbing a set of bongos from the percussion corner.

                “You speak highly of yourself,” Dom laughed. The laugh wasn’t a happy one. It was bitter. “You don’t know how difficult it was to not jinx her right then and there.”

                “Good for you for biding your temper. You did far better than I did,” I laughed, pounding out a beat on the drums in my lap. “So how about this for the back beat of your song?”

  ₰:Dominique:₰

                  I didn’t even have Cameron to distract me from one of Giles’ lectures later because he was eyeball deep in sheet music that he’s been working on all day. I leaned over and peeked over his shoulder. At this point it was only black splotches and squiggles that I couldn’t really make heads or tails of. I hefted a pointed sigh (which went unbeknownst to Cameron, as he was immersed in the music as heavily as I would be in a good book) and glanced around the room. Tanner was fast asleep in the corner. Kyle and Jason were bent with heads together and were engaged in some sort of game played on paper—I couldn’t tell what. And Nathan was flirting with some girls on the other side of the room. I zeroed in on that section before I felt the overwhelming feeling of being watched. My hand automatically went to my hip as I hesitantly turned to look over my shoulder. If looks could kill—I’d be Avada Kedavra’d at this point.

                Cecelia was sending me a look of such venom it rivaled the looks Professor Vector sent James’ way back at school. I resisted the urge to shudder slightly but steeled my own eye and sent it right back at her. She flicked her hair over her shoulder and automatically turned to her little friend and began whispering fervently. I snorted and directed my gaze back to Giles who apparently just started to notice the lack of attention the room carried.

                “OI! THIS IS IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU BLEEDIN’ PRATS!” he bellowed, following it sharply with a piercing wolf whistle. Tanner fell out of his chair with a loud snort. Cameron was blinking owlishly, obviously trying to piece together just exactly what he missed. “This is about the Final Performances and their auditions. But if you all want to give it purely to the drama and dance department, by all means—leave now.”

                There was a sharp silence before Nathan broke it with a slight snicker. The room gradually picked up in laughter and even Giles couldn’t keep a stern face for very long before he too was rolling in mirth. “Yes, yes, rather out of character for the likes of me, but I had to get your attention somehow. Now—we have chosen the opening and closing company numbers. The first one will focus on your vocal talents and the closing will allow the musical theatre singers their chance to shine—but of course you will all be there to carry their lack of harmonies.” The room giggled at this—Giles always loved to poke fun at his talent being more legendary than Jenks’ (but never directly in front of her of course. That woman rivaled Grandmum when she got angry).

                “I will be deciding who gets what portion of the song after your auditions—which will be taking place in three days time. Rehearsals start Friday—I’m afraid there won’t be much going off campus these coming weekends.” I made a mental note to inform my parents and sat up straighter. Would I audition with the song that Cam and I were working on? Or do another one?  “The songs you audition with don’t necessarily have to be the ones you sing if you get the role, but it is advised.” Well that answers that. Three days. I’ll never be ready.

                “It’ll be done by the show but not by auditions. We don’t have time to finish it and then have you learn it,” Cameron whispered. I looked over at him, my eyes wide. “Also, I’m not doing a duet with you.”

                What?! No duet! He knows I’ve never sung in front of people without him! He knows I can’t do it! I can’t even do it in front of the whole program—let alone the amount of audience the Final Performance will hold. Is he trying to make it so I don’t sing at all?

                “—solos. Three duets. And four performances with two or more. The rest will be divided up in musical performances for the musical theatre and dance routines. They won’t have any solos so they’re open to auditioning for our spots,” Giles was continuing. I blinked. How many solos did he say? “So needless to say, some of you will only be performing in the group numbers and will be working on costumes and such. But you all know the drill.”

                “How many solos are there?” I hissed, turning to Cameron who seemed to be continuing with his conversation with me even though I wasn’t listening. Too many conversations were going on at once and I was getting overwhelmed—that could also be the gripping fear that laced my chest. I need to get bearings with what was going on. “Wait don’t tell me just yet. Let me finish listening to Giles,” I snapped, interrupting Cameron mid-sentence. He snapped his mouth shut and gave me a weary look. Giles continued on speaking about how there would be two musical theatre duets but mostly small scenes and improve performances as well as a few large group numbers.

 It was tougher competition then I thought. The only options that I could see myself doing was a solo—but Merlin knows it wasn’t happening at this point because of my awful stage fright—and convincing Cameron to do a duet. I didn’t know enough people to join up and do a group performance and it wasn’t like I could do a musical theatre performance with Leah and Colby (I’ve heard them sing, it’s totally a different style of voice that I didn’t have a chance in Hogwarts of creating). I’m so royally screwed it wasn’t even funny.

Giles finished up his instructions and the group began to pack up their belongings. I was frozen. I didn’t work all summer to only sing in a group number, but at this point the thought of even getting up to sing by myself was making me sick to my stomach.

“You’re not mad at me for refusing to sing with you right? I just think that you can do so amazing if I let you freefall on your own. I mean you can’t rely on me to catch you all the time. You need to try—”

“Save it Cam, I’m just going to wind up singing the group numbers so don’t worry. I know you want to do a group number with the guys anyways,” I sighed, shoving my notebook in my bag and relying on my hair to hide my face.

“Dom, that’s ridiculous. You’re a far better singer than anyone in this group. You’re bound to get a solo,” Cameron sighed, forcing his hand into mine. As much as I wanted to reject it right now, I felt myself relax at his touch.

“You seem to forget that every time I try to sing by myself I freeze,” I declared. Cameron raised his eyebrows at me.

“But I believe in you,” he answered finally.

“So—warming up to sing in the background Dom dear?” Cecelia cooed from behind us. I stiffened and flipped around to face her. She was smirking with her little posse flanking either side. “We all know you just don’t have the capacity to sing for an audience. It’s a shame really—I’ll just have to sing my solo on my own. It’s my rightful place after all.”

“Really Cecelia—I’m shocked,” I spat. Cecelia’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“About what? The fact that you’re scared of your own shadow or that I’m a fantastic singer? Really, they’re both quite obvious.”

“Neither actually. I’m shocked that you’re not attached to the ceiling, seeing as your head is so filled with hot air. I think you should try humility sometimes, it does a body well,” I replied, locking my jar firmly and smirking as her jaw dropped slightly.

“People with talent deserve to be cocky about it. How do you think all the fame has made it in the world? Maybe you should try it—that is if you could find some talent to be cocky about in the first place,” she shrugged, pushing past me (with a sharp jab from her shoulder) and through the door. Cameron caught me around the waist as I started after her, my hand automatically going for my wand.

“Oh no you don’t. I’m not getting you arrested for the likes of her,” Cameron laughed as I struggled against him.

“Forget it! I’ll punch her bloody lights out myself,” I spat. I may not be one for courage—that was for my Gryffindor cousins—I preferred thought out plans of attack. But this, this was too much. I wasn’t going to roll over and give her what she wanted. I wasn’t going to be walked all over. I may be a Ravenclaw, where confrontation wasn’t fought with fists but with the mind and in tests rather than in person, but I was still a Weasley. And Weasley’s don’t take shite like that lying down.

“I need to go to the music store and find a bleeding song that will throw that awful cow to the curb. If I don’t get this solo, I’ll bloody well make sure she doesn’t get one either,” I snapped, roughly pushing my hair out of my face and hoisting my bag higher on my shoulder. I ignored the amused—and slightly wary—expressions of Cameron and the boys and stalked out of the room with determination. Screw stage fright, I was going to prove that lowly bint wrong. Then again—this could be the adrenaline speaking for itself.

  A/A:

Hey y’all! I know it’s been forever since an update but I was knee deep in children under the age of ten last week and then every time I sat down to write this chapter it wouldn’t come to me. It took me three days rather than the usual one and a half usually takes me. Every time I attempted to write it I just couldn’t figure out how to get from A to B. I have the rest of the main plot points worked out—I’m just having trouble transitioning each point into a chapter. But—never fear—it’s coming along.

IMPORTANT:

As we got back to the Program we have a few climax points building and a return of an antagonist. Tell me all your thoughts on what’s going on! I really do love to hear all your thoughts on the chapter—even if it’s only an ‘I loved it!’ because it keeps the story going through my doubts about it. I love you all! If you have any ideas for group numbers let me know. I have some tentative ones picked out as of right now—but I’m willing to change it.

Forever yours magically,

Emily