Part 13: Girl Can Rock

Two days later I was thinking about the entertainment thing Dumbledore has mentioned to any of those who were interested. And, boy, was I. I could sing, but I’m horrible at playing at any instruments besides my voice, of course. I knew that the big option was to get together a band. But how?, I asked myself. Simple enough, I answered. There would be a fair few at Hogwarts who knew a bt about instruments and how to play them.

            In the Ravenclaw common room, I had blank papers gathered in my lap. I held my wand high above the first one and tipped it slightly. Words appeared, saying, “Talented Musicians Needed: Playing as Entertainment at Christmas Ball.” And, to get attention, the letters flashed neon colors on and off. I smiled, satisfied. Over the next hour or so I did the exact same thing to half the papers. Honestly, though, I was starting to get really bored.

            “Drea, what the heck--?” asked Cho as she sat herself in the chair next to me. She picked up a paper and glanced over it, raising a questioning eyebrow at me. “Are you serious? A band?”

            “Yeah. You got a problem?”

            She raised her hands, palms out.

            “No, but…who are you going to get in time for the Ball? I, mean, seriously.”

            “You actually may be surprised, Cho,” I said matter-of-factly. I grabed a small stack of the fliers and tapped them against the table in front of me to arrange them neatly. I placed them down and folded my hands in my lap.

            “Well, don’t be worried if no one approaches you about it.”

            “I thought you were my friend,” I said to Cho.

            “I’m just saying. It’s possible,” Cho reasoned.

            I eyed her and smirked, grabbing another stack of bare papers. Cho stuck out her hand and looked at me intently.

            “What?” I asked.

            “Let me help you.”

            “Why? You were just against it a few seconds ago.”

            “Look, do you want a band or not?”

            I hesitated.

            “Drea,” Cho said.

            I handed the papers over.

            “Fine. But…thanks.”

            “Don’t mention it. I am your friend, after all.”

            I smirked at her. She had thrown the exact same thing I had said to her before right back at me! Clever girl…that’s Cho, for you.

            So, Cho ended up, kindly, helping me in the process of creating and hanging the fliers that advertised the band I was so intent on setting up. At first there were no responses, but the next day…well, I’ll just tell you.

            Still achy from the last Quidditch practice I had had about three to four days ago, I stretched my head and glanced at the portable calendar on the wall adjacent to my bed. Christmas was this Saturday…great. Just great. Really! Not.

            I sat down in front of my mirror and grabbed my wand. One glance at my reflection told me that I needed to do something about my hair. And fast. Staring at the tangled black mess on my head, I chanted a spell that damped my hair and hed the tangles in place. I slowly worked them out by hand with a comb, and when I was done, my hair was straight and curved at the ends with a slight wave up.

            Now to style.

            My hair its original length today, which was mid-back, I combed some cream through it with my fingers. I made sure that each strand was perfectly coated and then I murmured yet another spell to heat up my wand. You think it’s impossible, right? Wrong.

            I twirled some random strands of ebony hair over the wood of the wand. It hissed a bit, steam rising. The steam gave off a faint smell of strawberries. Yes, what I combed through my hair was indeed strawberry-smelling curling cream. And as I unraveled my hair from my wand, the hair bounced once, then it curled perfectly. Not Shirley Temple curls, but curls that looked good without being too overdone. I completed the same ritual with the rest of my hair and smiled at the results. In the sunlight, my skin glowed radiantly. I felt happy; really happy. I felt today was going to be great.

            For a finishing touch, I touched my wand to my hair and tons of random strands bursted with hot pink streaks. I love magic, what can I say?

            As going with a pink theme, I applied hot pink eyeshadow to my eyes, blush, and outrageous neon pink Sugar Sugar lip gloss. My cheeks now glowed with a slight pretty fliush. I should do pink more often!

            On my legs, I slipped on pink and black striped stocking and, of course, my black boots. A must have for any occaison! Heh…kidding. Seriously, though, I love’em! Adding to my cutesy theme, I slipped on a tu-tu like skirt that was fluffed up nicely. The skirt was black and the shirt I topped it off with was sleeveless and simply zipped up in the back. The shirt was hot pink and went great wih the rest of my outfit.

            I flashed my wand at my nails and they reappeared shiny with sparkly neon pink and raven black skulls on them. It looked like a manicure, but it was actually my real nails. I pinned a few of my curls back with a pink skull and crossbones clip and allowed a few tendrils to frame my face. I slipped on a ripped pair of striped black and pink fingerless gloves that matched my stockings.

            I walked down into the common room feeling proud of myself. I looked good, and I knew it. Cho was shuffling all the papers into neat piles.

            “Drea?”

            “Yeah?”

            “Good. It’s you. I wanted to know, what do you--?” She looked up and her mouth literally dropped open. She gaped in awe and admiration at my theme for the day. “Oh"my---God. Drea, you look gorgeous!”

            I smiled at her thankfully.

            “You think?”

            “Absolutely!”

            “You don’t think it’s too"too…weird, do you?”

            Again came the hesitation, but it faded quickly into a big grin.

            “No. I’m sorry if I said anything before that upset you. I was being an idiot. I don’t care. I was just too worried about what others thought of me being friends with you. I’ve thought about it, and I know it was really selfish of me.”

            At this I was really taken aback. Cho acted to mature by thinking it out. She did the right think by not thinkinfg about what her other “friends” thought of use being best friends. And it also seemed that her loyalty finally overcame her whim to fit in with all the other girls.

            “That…I’m glad you decided what was best for yourself and me. Doing that…well, it really shows how much of a friend you are to me.”

            “Thanks,” Cho said. Her chocolate eyes sparkled at me fondly.

            “What were you going to ask me?”

            “Do you even have a name for the band yet?”

            “That? I’m still thinking.”

            “Well…we have a while. We can think for a bit.”

            “Sounds good. What do you think of…the Spacers?”

            “Are you serious?”

            “Yes!”

            “Ugh, reminds me of Astronomy. What about…” She looked over my outfit. “…something dark or gothic. You seem to be into that kinda stuff.”

            I followed her gaze and laughed.

            “Yeah, you’re right. Hmm…” I thought for a moment. I never realized how hard it was to come up with the name of a band. I could come up with tons of names on the spot, and any one of them couldn’t possibly be it. “I have one! How about the Grimm?”

            “Isn’t that an omen of death?” she asked, her face screwed up in disbelief.

            “Yes, but that’s what makes it so cool! Oh! I also have another one. Death’s End.”

            “I think I like Death’s End better,” she said.

            “Yeah…the Grimm really doesn’t sound all that thrilling. So…you’ll help me?”

            “With what?”

            “You said you would!”

            “I said I’d help put of the fliers. I said nothing about helping wih the band.”

            “Oh…” I looked down at the floor and made a pouty face.

            “Fine! I’ll help you.”

            “Yea!” I shrieked. I hugged her tight.

            Maybe a little too tight.

            “Air!” Cho gasped. “Air!”

 

            After Cho and I had plastered the fliers over the Ravenclaw Common Board and the rest of the school, we settled down in the Common Room. I was exhausted by all of the walking we did. My quiet side that I felt hadn’t come out since the beginning of the year reappeared when I picked up one of my books. I ran a hand over its leathery cover and opened its pages, inhaling the new smell. The words etched into the cover read The Secrets of Magic.

            “I remember this,” I murmured. I had gotten it at the beginning of the year, but I had obviously forgotten about it up until now.

            I flipped open the pages and read the table of contents and turned to a chapter that indicated how to summon magic from the soul.

            Summoning one’s magic from one’s soul is a very rare practice. So rare, in fact, that it’s barely ever used anymore. This technique is one that was once used oftenly by Wiccans back in the early 14^th century up until the late 16^th century when many of them were persecuted as witches in the Salem Witch Trials. Wiccans and their practices are related to the practices of witchcraft, but they approach magic with entirely different concepts. They are able to summon magic not only through wands, but through their body as well. Wiccans used herbs and plants to help heal rememdies; the natural healing of Mother Earth aided in much.

            Like the Wiccans, one can, too, summon the magic from one’s soul. But caution must be taken because if too much energy is used up from one’s soul, one can die. The soul is the life source of the body and powers the mind and body. Precautions with simply minimal amounts of magic must be adhered to as well.

            As in casting any simple or complex spell, soul summoning requires complete concentration and knowledge of the process which is to be performed. Start with closing the eyes and clearing the mind of all thoughts and distractions. Meditate in a slient place if availiable. Breathe in deeply and exhale slowly. Repeat the process of breathing until relaxed and at ease. Then begin to delve into the soul, slowly untwining the difficulties in the spirit to get to it. Lock your conentration, then, on the magic once found. Summon the energy and cup the hands. Imagine a tiny ball of llight in the hands and will it to be there.

            This is the first, and most difficult, step to accomplish for it is hard. Many witches and wizards are not able to summon energy from their souls, or simply do not have the ability to. If one finds you cannot do it and are exhausted from the effort, the ability might not be there. If one finds you are able, pursue it bit by bit and do not force it. As said before, if too much energy is used, death could be a very likely result…

            I kept reading. This was the exact same thing I had taught myself years before. My parents helped my abilties along, but I had to teach myself most of the material without a mentor. And that really was the best thing for me to do.

            “Um…I saw a poster outside,” said a voice above me, “and…I was wondering if I could try out…”

            “Just a sec.”

            I held up one finger and placed my bookmark into my book, which I placed on the table in front of me. I glanced up at the owner of the voice. It was a tall, slightly muscular boy with dark brown hair. He had on a dark green sweater and dark blue jeans. Really, he had a rugged look about him. He was appealing...but he couldn’t compare to Harry. He was gorgeous, though.

            “So…you saw the poster?”

            “Yeah. Any openings?”

            “Actually, you’re the first,” I replied.

            “Huh…”

            “What’s your name?”

            “Dale Gifford. I play guitar. With magic, of course. I know how to play it because my mum’s a Muggle.”

            “Cool. You know how to play anything else, Dale?”

            “Nope. Sorry.”

            “’S’okay.” I held out my hand to him and smile. “Band’s name is Death’s End. Like it?”

            He took my hand and shook it, smiling back in a friendly way.

            “Yeah. Fits great.”

            “Glad you think so.”

            “When’s the first practice?”

            “Upcoming Monday, or beginning next week.Hope to see you there.”

            “You will. I gurantee it.”

            Dale left confidentally. Yep, he was cute. I preferred Harry, though.

           

            Okay, so we had our guitarist. And what about the other people? Handled, of course. They were nervous at first because they didn’t come out right away, but…they got their confidence. I think the idea of showing off their talent pumped’em up. They mostly approached me later that evening.

            I was sitting at the Ravenclaw having dinner and talking with Cho.

            “Hey, Drea.”

            I turned at the sound of my name.

            Dale was standing there with three other boys. The three were all tall; as tall as Dale.

            “Who’re these guys?”

            “Some musician friends of mine. They’d love to be in the band if you wouldn’t mind.”

            “Sure.” I eyed the first boy, who had ash blond hair. “What’s your name?”

            “Heath. Heath Walden. I play the guitar.”

            The second boy stepped up. He spoke with an Irish accent and had reddish-brown hair.

            “I’m Blayne Sheridan. I play bass.”

            I nodded at him. The third and last boy came forward. He had died black hair and shadowy eyes.

            “Aaron Linford. Drums.”

            I smiled up at them.

            “Nice, Dale. Very nice. Welcome to the band. We’re performing for the Christmas Ball. Dumbledore wanted entertainment.”

            “Practice Monday?”

            “Yep. See you guys then.”

            The four boys walked away. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Aaron eye me then walk away with the rest of them.

            When I turned back to my dinner, I caught Cho’s eye. Her lips were turned upwards into a sly smile, her eyebrows raised and her eyes expectant.

            “What?”

            “I saw him.”

            “Saw who?”

            “The gothic guy. I saw him eyeing you,” she said. Cho sipped some of her pumpkin juice and burst out into a big smile. “He likes you. Admit it!”

            “He does NOT!” I chuckled. I playfully fit her on the arm.

            “I saw him! The whole you were talking to the other guys, he had his eye on you. Do you?”

            “Do I what?”

            “Like him back, of course!”

            “Cho!” I whispered urgently. “You know I like Harry.”

            “Yeah, but…that doesn’t divert you from liking other guys as well.”

            “Can you think of something OTHER than boys?”

            “Fine. Let’s talk about your outfit. How’d you get your hair so perfect?”

            “My wand. It was really easy to curl…”

            We kept chattering, btu my real thougts were focused on Aaron. The last thing I needed was yet another boy to like me.

            Just keep your head in the game. Concentrate on your original goal, and then he won’t even think to make a move on you.

            Was it even that easy?

 

______________________

 

            That night, thinking of Harry and of all the other boys at Hogwarts who liked me, I opened my grandmother’s diary to keep my wandering mind in place. Because it chose the entries on its own, the diary surprised me. And here’s why:

 

            6^th January, Friday, 1902

 

          My dear sweet Diary,

 

          I am so overjoyed to see my friends! And, they, too, are happy to see me. When I arrived back here at Hogwarts, Emilia, a lovely girl, embraced me tightly like a sister and Amarillis smiled sweetly at me. They both asked me what I did over the holiday. I replied that I went ice skating, sleigh riding, and most of all playing pranks on Father! I did not show them you, yet. And I am not going to because…well…we all have our little secrets, now don’t we? I have to keep something to myself or else I would not have any privacy at all. Besides, my admiration for Julius is something I cannot possibly explain to them. They…they both do not even have boyfriends of their own. So, how would they understand? They would probably tease me…which I really do not want. Now you see? It is apparent that I do more than admire him…Diary…I think I am in love with him. I know because I cannot stop thinking about him. Ever.

          I feel lonely and helpless inside. I wish Juilius were here. That is what I want the most; for him to tell me that he loves me. I love him. And very deeoky, too. As I write, I keep telling myself things will eventually work themselves out. I mean, it is just a matter of time, right? Before the end of the year is here and…maybe I will have a chance to finally tell him how I feel?

          I will end here for now. Good night, Diary.

 

My sincerest wishes to you,

Valonia Faye Cachet Jonquil Vela

Daughter of Duke Eleaszar Hesperus Philemon Vela

Duchess of Raven’s Helm

 

And deeply in loce, too.

 

            “Wow…” I whispered in silence.

            I closed the diary and laid back in my bed and stared up at the canopy ceiling. The dark purple curtains were drawn so that nobody would stare at me.

            “My grandmother…she went through the exact same thing.” I glanced at the book beside me and stroked its old leathery cover. “Maybe this book…maybe the reason I found this book was to help me. To guide me…it found me. I didn’t find it. Some force here is watching over me.”

            I closed my eyes. Sleep overcame me.

            What I didn’t know was that somewhere else in the castle, a kind person was protecting me. Watching me and helping me. I just didn’t know it then.

 

______________________

 

            “Alright, boys! Let’s get ready to rock!”

            I wore my midnight-blue corset and the black sparkly skirt. My eyes were simply outlined in black liquid eyeliner. Not overdone, of course. Never.

            My lips were glossed with black and my skin was a traditionally pale ivory. My hair was pulled back into a complicated long braid that ran straight down my back. A golden metal snake curled around my upper left arm. Midnight blue streaks ran through my hair today.

            It was Monday and Death’s End and I were ready to rock.

            Well, almost.

            Dale was fiddling around with guitar and Heath was itching at his cheek. Blayne and Aaron were the only ones besides me who were actually ready.

            “Guys!” I exclaimed.

            “What?” they both asked simultaneously.

            “Can we practice or not?”

            “What are going to play?” asked Heath.

            Silence…

            “The Gathering?”

            “Nightwish?”

            “The Birthday Massacre?”

            “Ugh,” I groaned. “I don’t know any of those bands! How about something all of us know?”

            “Evanescence?” asked a deep voice from the back.

            I glanced at Aaron and smiled.

            “What do you think guys? Evanescence?”

            “Yeah!” they all said.

            “Alright…my favorite band. And I think I know what song to do. You guys know the music for ‘Bring Me to Life’?”

            “Yeah.”

            “Good…let’s rock.”

            “Wait!” shouted Dale. “The first bit starts with a piano. Does anyone know how to play piano?”

            They shrugged. Great. Just great.

            “I do,” called out a voice from the open doors of the room.

            A boy with spiked neon green hair walked in. He was not as tall as the others, but tall, nonetheless. His voice had no accent. In fact, it was all-American.

            “What’s your name?” I asked.

            “Lex. I was gonna approach you before about the band thing, but I got sidetracked. Sorry.”

            “No! No! Come right in! We’re gonna play ‘Bring Me to Life’.”

            “Cool,” he said.

            Lex seated himself in front of one of the many instruments we had in the room. Just so you know, we were in the Room of Requirement. The doors were open, so practically anyone could walk in.

            He placed his fingers above the keys, ready.

            Lex started out with a haunting tune. Aaron’s drums kicked in on a low tone. At the right time, I began to sing.

 

“How can you see into my eyes

like open doors?

Leading you down into my core

Where I’ve become so numb”

 

            Dale’s and Heath’s guitars picked up as Aaron’s drumming became more intense. Lex continued on the same pace he had at the beginning.

 

“Without a soul,

my spirit sleeping somewhere cold

until you me there and lead it

back home”

 

            The guitars, bass and regular, picked up. The boys sang, and they sang good.

 

(Wake me up)

“Wake me up inside”

(I can’t wake up)

“Wake me up inside”

(Save me!)

“Call my name and save

me from the dark”

(Wake me up)

“Bid my blood to run”

(I can’t wake up)

“Before I come undone”

(Save me!)

“Save me from the nothing

has become”

 

            The guiat riff slowed for a few seconds, but gained altitude when it threatened to stop.

 

“Now that I know what

I’m without

You can’t just leave me,

Breathe!

Into me and make me real

Bring me to life”

 

(Wake me up)

“Wake me up inside”

(I can’t wake up)

“Wake me up inside”

(Save me!)

“Call my name and save

me from the dark”

(Wake me up)

“Bid my blood to run”

(I can’t wake up)

“Before I come undone”

(Save me!)

“Save me from the nothing

has become

Ooooh…bring me to life…

(I’ve been livin’ a lie,

there’s nothing better)

Ooooh…bring me to life…

Frozen inside

Without your touch,

Without your love, darling

Only you are the life

Of my frozen”

(All this time I can’t believe

couldn’t see

Kept in the dark,

But you would never follow me)

“I’ve been sleeping a thousand years,

it seems

 Got to open my eyes to everything”

(Withtout your love,

I would saw)

“Don’t let me die here”

(There must be something more)

“Bring me to life”

 

(Wake me up)

“Wake me up inside”

(I can’t wake up)

“Wake me up inside”

(Save me!)

“Call my name and save

me from the dark”

(Wake me up)

“Bid my blood to run”

(I can’t wake up)

“Before I come undone”

(Save me!)

“Save me from the nothing

has become”

 

“Bring me to life”

(I’ve been livin’ a lie

There’s nothin’ better)

“Bring me to life”

 

            The guitars and drums wound down quickly, yet slowly, and left Lex playing the piano.

            I sighed.

            “Thoughts?” I asked them.

            “I think we’re good to go,” said Lex, smiling at me.

            I knew we were, too.