The great hall was full of noise, students were completely shaken by the rearrangement for the talent show. The room's long tables had vanished and were replaced with viewing chairs much like those in muggle theaters. The professors' tables were also replaced but with a large stage. The stage was slightly taller than the seating and was fit with large black velvet curtains and viewing wings attached for the students backstage. In front of the stage, there was a long table fit for five, to accommodate the professors acting as judges. Everyone filed into the room taking a seat wherever they chose, most students stayed in areas based on house; especially Gryffindors and Slytherins which had both taken to separate sides of the room.

Once settled, the clearing of a throat hushed the boisterous crowd.

"I am glad to introduce our very first Hogwarts non-magic talent show! In this show you will view a range of acts, all have been scanned for magic prior. But! If we do find magic used during an act, they will be automatically disqualified. Remember this is solely for fun, do not injure yourselves to impress your peers or win the prize. The prizes will be revealed later on... Now that all the rules are set... Our first act is Ms. Luna Lovegood singing..."

The words drown out by loud clapping and cheering, Luna came onto stage bringing a muggle microphone set along with her so the whole room could hear.

Meanwhile, Draco paced back and forth behind stage feeling extremely nervous.

★

Oh god... Why did I let Pansy convince me?? This is a horrible idea, what if my voice cracks? Or worse! I forget the chords and use the wrong ones.

"Next up, Mr. Draco Malfoy!"

Oh shit! I've been worrying through three acts?!

I hastily grabbed my guitar and jogged onto stage to make up for a nonexistent delay. Then I dragged the stool into the middle and began adjusting the mic to the proper height for when I sat.

During these couple seconds, everyone was quiet in anticipation and shock. At least they weren't hostile, yet.

Clearing my throat I began speaking into the mic from my seat on the stool," Hello everyone... Today I'll be singing an original song I wrote. Erhm... It's not what you'd expect I know... But... Whatever." I'd gone casual in my tone, like I was speaking with an old friend as I glanced around the audience.

My eyes caught on Potter who was looking at me with an unreadable expression, of fucking course. I rolled my eyes and began strumming the guitar in my arms, looking down as I did so. I knew I'd have to look up sooner or later but at the moment I didn't want to...

"'Cause I live to get lost in lazy afternoons with you
And what I'd give for any cause to turn a day into a few."

I sang the first few lines and a few people whistled with encouragement, I glanced up through my eyelashes with a small smile dancing across my lips continuing to sing.

"'Cause just one kiss is all I need.
Take my hand and let me lead
Far away to an empty place.
I live to see your face smiling back at me after kissing you.
Got a trick right up my sleeve if I'm missing you,"

I looked up singing into the microphone glancing around the audience, their faces mesmerized; my nervousness melting.

'Cause all I need to do is close my eyes
And you'll be right by my side.
'Cause all I need is you.
You're in my mind, everything's gonna be alright.
'Cause a thousand miles wouldn't keep me
From seeing you.
(Seeing you,)
A thousand miles wouldn't keep me from seeing you.

I began to get lost in the song, adding bits and pieces to my singing I hadn't originally written in.

"So if I only have one day left in my life
I'd make you my husband.
I'd take your hand
Fly to the warm sand.
That would be grand.
And in my last few hours,
I'd find you some flowers.
And for once, I wouldn't need my guitars
'Cause right now I'd rather be in your arms.
Yeah, you heard it right, I wouldn't need my guitars.
I'd rather be in your arms.
You're right, you can keep my guitar.
I'd rather be in your arms."

I heard gasps from the audience and everyone in the room, including myself, noticed the lyric I sang. Fuck it, it was bound to happen anyways.

'Cause all I need to do is close my eyes
And you'll be right by my side.
'Cause all I need is you – you're in my mind.
Everything's gonna be all right.
'Cause a thousand miles wouldn't keep me from seeing you.
I said, a thousand miles wouldn't keep me from seeing you.

I looked around the group of students, my eyes catching on the chosen one himself who looked amused by my performance. I continued playing my guitar until the next bit came up and I got directly back into singing.

'Cause all I need is you, you're in my mind.
Oh yeah.
'Cause all I need to do is close my eyes
And you'll be by my side.
All I need to do, is be with you.
Everything I do – I do it, boy, for you"

In the last line, I made sure everyone heard "boy" right and I ended it all smoothly, there was clapping and confusion all around. I looked around and found Potter, he had a hint of a smile lingering on his perfect lips.

I gave a small smile back and spoke into the microphone one last time, "Thank you, everyone, that song was called All I Need. I'd also like to say you heard the lyrics right and if you can't accept that, don't talk to me."

★

After the last act, everyone was allowed a free period while the judges discussed their thoughts about the winner. So I ended up walking out of the enormous room and rushing towards the abandoned lavatory... I needed to think about what just happened, even if moaning Myrtle was complaining the whole time.