11- Surprises at the First Rehearsal *part one*

Standard Disclaimer goes here.

Chapter 11- Surprises at the First Rehearsal

Once again, spirits were high in the Great Hall at dinner, as the cast waited for the first roundtable reading of Act One to begin. All of the students had their scripts with them already. Some of the Gryffindors were even listening to a music box at their table, albeit at a very low volume after the glare they got from McGonagall.

Finally, everyone not in the play had left, and the others were standing, waiting for Dumbledore to Summon the round table for their reading. At 7:00, he stood, waving his hand at the doors to shut them, and flicked his wand to Banish the long tables and benches. Then he Summoned a circle of chairs like he had before.

Puzzled, Neville leant toward Ron and asked, "Where's the round table? These are just chairs." Ron merely shrugged at him, equally baffled.

Dumbledore heard the exchange and chuckled. Eyes twinkling faster than normal, he turned to the assembled cast and gestured toward the chairs. "Please, take a seat. I believe the term 'roundtable reading' may have confused some of you. I agree that it seems odd to use a term that isn't accurate, but there will be no round table tonight. We will simply take our seats and go through Act One together. Supposedly, the term refers to the fact that the play will be read 'around' the table. Of course, we don't have a table either, but one was not necessary..." He trailed off, seemingly talking to himself as he shuffled to his seat. The students exchanged amused glances and sat down as well.

Professors McGonagall and Trelawney sat amongst the students that they would be working with, and Snape stood until only one chair was left, which he took with an audible sigh of being put upon.

Dumbledore opened his script and adjusted the dials and knobs on his music box. There was a shuffle around the circle as the cast followed suit and opened their scripts. Dumbledore beamed at the group and said, "We will be using the music without the voices, and I will stop it whenever we have a section where the script is not in the recording. I hope you all have practiced enough to be familiar with your role. We will be stopping to replay some sections, especially those that have multiple voices singing on top of each other. Remember, this is a first reading, so I don't expect you to be perfect, but do not waste this opportunity to try acting your character. Now, let's begin..."

He was interrupted by a squawk from both Colin Creevey and Ron Weasley at the same time. Taken aback, Dumbledore looked up, perplexed. "Yes? Do you have a question?"

They looked at each other, and Ron nodded. He looked back at Dumbledore and cleared his throat. Trying to sound as nonchalant as possible, he said, "Well, sir, we were just wondering when you might perform that singing spell on us. You did say that we could do it at our first rehearsal. So, if we're to sing at all, well, uh, we'd like to have it done right off!" Ron was buoyed by the vigorous nodding of heads around the circle and managed a smile. Colin's expression was one of intense relief.

Dumbledore looked at the hopeful and apprehensive faces around him and laughed. "Why, so I did, Mr. Weasley. You are indeed correct. Do forgive me for forgetting. I am new at this, after all." He winked and shot a wry grin around the circle. "Very well, raise your hand if you wish to have the spell performed on you." Hands shot up all over. He went around the circle, pointing his wand at each person in turn, saying over and over again, "Suaviloquentia."

As he neared the end of his circuit, he came to Snape. He paused a moment, noting that his hand was not up, but he didn't expect him to raise his hand like a student, so he asked, "Severus, one for you?"

A ripple of astonishment ran through those assembled as Snape coolly answered, "No thank you, Headmaster."

Dumbledore's eyes flashed at the surprise. He nodded and finished up the last few students. Looking around the circle one last time to make sure he hadn't missed anyone, he noticed that Snape was leaning back in his chair languidly, arms crossed loosely at his chest, one long leg stretched out in front of him, and the other curled under the chair. But it was the fact that he didn't have a script that made Dumbledore stop.

Brow slightly furrowed, Dumbledore looked at Snape and said, "Severus, did you forget your script? Would you like me to Summon another for you? The notice did say to bring your script." He said that last bit with a note of reproach.

Snape turned a level gaze on Dumbledore and smirked. "No sir, I did not forget. Nor should you Summon another for me. I did not bring it because I do not need it." He flicked a smug glance at Hermione before looking back to the Headmaster. Another ripple of shocked mutterings swept through the circle. Hermione found herself staring at Snape in wonder.

He must be serious. He looks far too confident not to be, and he would never just disobey Dumbledore. Oh my... so he's going to sing, and he knows the whole of Act One, huh? This should prove very interesting!

Dumbledore saw the gleam of challenge in Snape's eyes and knew better than to say any more. Well, if he wants to do it, it's best to just let him. So, he simply nodded to Snape and turned his attention back to the music box. The tension in the room increased as he opened it, and Seamus began with his cry of "Sold!"

Seamus and Justin flowed easily through the auction scene, and Harry was pleased to hear that his voice was note-perfect when he opened his mouth to sing his first lines. He smiled widely at Hermione and Ron as he sang. All of the Gryffindors were grinning back at him. Then, the overture began and everyone fell quiet, waiting for Pansy to start the scene to come. Some of the students braced themselves for it, expecting her to be awful. Fortunately, she was not awful, and she didn't sing off-key. However, she did not try to sing with an Italian accent. Some of the Gryffindors exchanged disappointed looks that she wasn't horrid. They were hoping to have some ammunition to make fun of the Slytherin in retaliation for all the years of verbal abuse suffered at her hands and at the hands of her Slytherin cronies.

Dumbledore had to stop the music several times in the Hannibal scene since so much of the dialogue was left out. Draco looked exceedingly smug as he said his lines, complete with a passable Italian accent. Neville even managed to do his part without stuttering, and he was surprisingly authoritative.

Finally, the scene progressed to Christine's song "Think of Me." Hermione cast her eyes toward the floor, a bit nervous to sing in front of so many people. Once she began, smiles popped up on faces all around the circle. Harry positively beamed, almost as much as Dumbledore. The clear, pure quality of her voice was astounding, and everyone was entranced by how pleasing it was to listen to her.

If Hermione had been looking up while she sang, she would have seen the various expressions of enjoyment, and would likely have been very flattered. But, as it was, she completely missed the jump and shudder that ran through Snape in reaction to her voice. His composed façade melted away in his shock, and he stared at her, at a loss for words or actions. It took him several moments to regain his composure and reconstruct his indifferent pose. Still, if anyone had cared to look, they might have noticed the tension vibrating in his body, belying his purportedly relaxed posture. They might also have noticed the shakiness and speed of his breathing. And they quite likely would have noticed the crackling fire in his impossibly black eyes.

But, nobody was looking at Snape. They were all focused on Hermione.

Harry managed to sing through his huge grin and Hermione finished the song, delighting the rest of the cast as she effortlessly hit the high notes of her finale. Dumbledore shut the music box in his excitement so he could properly enthuse over her talent.

"I say, my dear, that was brilliant! You have a marvellous voice! Oh, I am certain...without a doubt!...that we will win this competition. And to think that that was your natural ability, not even enhanced by magic! Oh, this is wonderful, simply wonderful..."

Murmurs of agreement flew from all sides, and Hermione blushed. She looked around at everyone praising her and thanked them. But, as her gaze slid across Snape, she was stunned to see his eyes blazing with feelings that she was trying to ignore in her own body. For a fleeting moment, she looked straight at him, feeling the magnetic pull of his intense gaze, then she yanked herself away, looking down in confusion and humility.

What can he possibly mean, looking at me like that? Surely he can't mean it, not after the way he treated me in class yesterday. You must be mistaken. It's this damned play! It twists everything and makes it seem like something more! Likely he just found your singing pleasant, like the others did, but he isn't one to say anything about it. Forget it. Move on. Pay attention to the play.

Dumbledore sighed happily and motioned to Minerva to continue with her dialogue. Once Dumbledore opened the music box again, Snape looked directly at Hermione and sang, "Bravi, bravi, bravissimi..."

A rumble of reaction swept the group again, this time stunned at the resonance in just those four notes. Ginny stumbled to come in on time for her part. The atmosphere of surprise faded as the scene continued through the managers and Raoul to Raoul's duet with Christine. As Hermione said the last line in her scene with Raoul, Dumbledore opened the music box again, to hear the tremulous strains that begin the Phantom's first song.

Heads snapped up as one as Snape boomed, "Insolent boy!..." He was glaring at Harry. Hermione stared at Snape in awe, feeling tingles course through her at the deliciously vibrant tones of his voice. The rest of the cast sat, mouths agape, completely dumbfounded by the unexpected quality of Snape's singing voice.

Hermione found herself unable to tear her eyes away from Snape as she sang her response. Finally, Snape slid his gaze to Hermione, locking eyes with her as he continued.

His lids dropped lower as he began his low, hypnotic lure: "I am your Angel of Music. Come to me Angel of Music."

Hermione felt her insides spinning and quivering in response to the velvet seduction of his voice. Her eyes glazed over and she barely registered that Harry was shouting his lines. Her eyelids fluttered as she began the first verse of their duet. There was an expectant hush in the Hall as she finished her verse.

Snape inhaled deeply, sat up straight in his chair and exultantly belted out his verse. Around the circle, heads snapped back and forth from Hermione to Snape and back again as they continued. Only a few people had the presence of mind to actually sing their parts as offstage voices between the sections of the song.

Snape's eyes narrowed as he sang, "In all your fantasies, you always knew, that man and mystery..." Hermione's lids dropped in kind as she finished the line, "were both in you." Then, they locked gazes as they both sang the chorus. Snape's voice was low and raspy as he said, "Sing, my Angel of Music."

Hermione began the extravagant vocalizing, her eyes closing. Snape urged her on in low, rumbling tones, coaxing her to higher pitches. As she climbed, he increased the intensity of his pleas. Finally, he cried, "Sing for me!" and Hermione hit the highest piercing note, her head canted back, throat extended and vibrating. The note echoed off the vaulted ceiling of the Great Hall.

As everyone was transfixed by Hermione, no one noticed the embarrassed flush on Harry's face and the uncomfortable shifting he was doing in his chair. He kept his script firmly in his lap, covering the bulge that was growing in response to the memories that Hermione's performance evoked.

Snape felt the energy pooling in his gut, and he revelled in the utter awe on the faces around him. But it was Hermione who kept his attention. She was breathing heavily after her wild vocal acrobatics, and her face was flushed. She finally let her head drop forward back to a level, and she opened her eyes to look at Snape.

His chest tightened at the complete amazement in her gaze. It was mixed with delight, pride, and no little sadness. While perplexed at her sadness, he took a moment to feel satisfaction at the reactions to his performance. He was extremely thankful that he had already learnt his lines for Act One, as it allowed him to watch Hermione as he sang to her.

He wanted to blow her away with the power of his performance. He wanted her to see that she was not better than he. And, deep down, he wanted to incite the feelings he had seen in her before, even though he wouldn't admit it to himself.

He began "Music of the Night," knowing how delicately he could wrap his voice around the exquisite poetry of the song, and he invoked every nuance at his command to affect Hermione. He was gratified to see her almost swaying with the music, completely enthralled, never taking her eyes off him. When he came to the line, "Let your soul take you where you long to be! Only then can you belong to me," her eyes widened momentarily and her breath quickened. He saw the heat kindling in response and felt an answering flash flow through him, ending with a throb in his groin.

Thus, it was with an even deeper intensity that he drawled, "Touch me, trust me, savour each sensation! Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in..." He thrilled at the faint shudder that rippled over her and realized that he was the one feeling intoxicated. When his saner voice of reason tried to speak up and warn him to be careful, he viciously shoved it away.

In the meantime, Harry looked at Hermione, remembering what she had done the night before during this song. He was slightly disconcerted to see her once again heady response to the music. It made him very uneasy to see her looking so aroused when it was Snape, of all people, who was singing. He looked between them, and it dawned on him that they seemed to have an almost palpable connection. The air practically crackled with the energy between them. He scowled, disturbed.

As that song ended, people all around the circle started shaking their heads, trying to clear them of the thrall of Snape's impassioned rendition. Snape barely spared a glance at the others as they shifted in their seats, flipping pages of their scripts, trying to get up to speed. He was breathing deeply, but not heavily. Energy surged through him like molten fire. He watched Hermione.

She was sitting up straight, perched on the edge of her chair for better breath control. Her eyes were still slightly glazed and her expression was one of intense concentration as she desperately tried to figure out what was going on with Snape. The heat of her reaction to his powerful, mesmeric performance was simmering beneath the speculation.

Moments later, she softly sang the lead-in to Christine stealing the Phantom's mask. Then, as the music changed, she steeled herself for what was to come. She tried not to cringe as Snape roared, "Damn you! You little prying Pandora..."

Neville nearly tipped his chair over backward in his violent start of fear. Lavender and Parvati clasped each other's hands and gasped. Luna simply turned her even wider than usual eyes toward Snape. Ron blanched, Ginny gasped, and Harry scowled. Even Trelawney raised a trembling hand to her chest and her eyes goggled behind her thick glasses. Most of the other students cringed and grimaced.

Hermione managed to hold her own against his rage, but only by telling herself that it was only an act. She closed her eyes tightly at the first bellow, and then opened them a crack to see Snape boring his blazing eyes into hers, nostrils flaring, face contorted as he shouted through to "Curse you!" Then, his eyes darkened and deepened as his body went slack after his anger. He leant toward Hermione and softly sang, "Stranger than you dreamt it..."

His face seemed to settle into grimmer lines than she had seen before. She felt her heart go out to him, wanting to bring life back to his face, wanting to erase the pain. Her breath caught in her throat at his line, "Fear can turn to love." His voice kept getting lower and lower, turning almost to a whisper by the time he got to "secretly, secretly..." Then, Hermione was devastated to hear the break in his voice when he ground out "Oh, Christine..." She felt a tightness in her chest at the glitter in his eyes and involuntarily leant her body toward him.

Snape let his eyes close and dropped his head. He took a deep breath and resettled himself on his chair. When he opened his eyes again, he was all business, his face a mask devoid of emotion. Curtly, he flicked a glance at Hermione and then away again as he sang, "Come, we must return. Those two fools who run my theatre will be missing you." When he finished, he leant back in his chair, affecting his previously languid pose, arms crossed over his chest. He glared disdainfully up at everyone from under beetled brows. There was a heavy silence during the musical interlude, and everyone looked at Snape with varying degrees of amazement. Most looked away hurriedly, shying away from his menacing gaze.

Hermione sank back in her chair, feeling herself trembling with exertion and reaction to Snape's fervour. She was profoundly grateful that she would have a break for a while before she was required to sing again. Her mind was a tumult of emotion, and she retreated into herself to ponder the shocks she had received in such quick succession.

Terry Boot came in on time for his lines, but he was still rather subdued after the ferocity of Snape's performance. McGonagall chimed in for her lines and turned a speculative look on Snape, one eyebrow arched, as she said, "he will burn you with the heat of his eyes." Snape simply returned the look with a fierce one of his own, complete with retaliatory eyebrow arch. The exchange was a draw and McGonagall shot him a glare that indicated that he would have some explaining to do before returning to her script. Snape merely smirked and snorted to himself.

"Notes" began, and Neville struggled to once again be as confident as before. He only stammered a couple of times. Ron blustered in satisfactorily. They managed to get through it admirably...no doubt due to their furtive practicing in their dorm room at night...even during the part in which they come in almost on the tail of what the other one says. As they came to the end of their part together, Harry burst in with his lines. They bantered back and forth until Pansy exploded on the scene with her part.

McGonagall and Ginny eventually chimed in. Snape lazily dropped in at his place in reading the "note" and displayed an evil smirk of amusement at the insult delivered. Then, he affected a light conversational tone for his speech, until he got to the line, "Should these commands be ignored, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur." He deepened his voice to a black, ominous tone to finish.

The rest of the scene was marked by multiple stops and restarts as Dumbledore went through the multi-part song for each person involved before allowing them all to try it together. Snape felt his rush waning in the laborious rehashing of the scene. Stretching slowly, he got to his feet and walked to the edge of the Hall, where he Summoned a small table with a pitcher of ice water and tumblers. He poured himself a glass and drank deeply, feeling the coolness soothe his throat. He had no idea his throat would feel so tight and raw after such a short bout of singing.

But, you were singing rather forcefully. You're just not used to it. Certainly you can brew up a potion to restore your throat and help ease the break-in period. He made a mental note to look through his books later to find one.

Hermione noticed him when he stood. She had been absorbed in her thoughts until she was distracted by listening to the others practice their parts. She could appreciate how complex the song was, and she knew she would be involved with some later, so she paid attention to how Dumbledore handled it. But when she saw Snape rise and step away from the circle, her attention was firmly rooted on him again. She watched his robes floating behind him as he walked to the wall and noted the graceful flick of his hand as he Summoned the table.

For all his snide comments about "foolish wand waving" he certainly is deft. She felt a flutter of embarrassment as she wondered what else his hands might be graceful and deft doing. Oh, for Merlin's sake, not again!

She spied the frosty pitcher of ice water and immediately thought how wonderful it would feel to cool her parched throat. It felt rather tired and strained already and she hadn't even done very much. I just need to practice every day and get back into it, so I won't hurt my voice. Suddenly ravenously thirsty, she stood, as unobtrusively as possible. Dumbledore merely nodded at her as she inclined her head in question. Quietly, she made her way across to the table... and Snape.

Snape caught movement out of the corner of his eye and stiffened. As Hermione edged up to him, the look he turned on her was as cold as the pitcher. Hermione swallowed nervously and schooled her expression into one of polite inquiry.

"Professor, may I have some water as well?"

He contemplated her for a moment, seeing her gaze flick agitatedly all over the Hall as her cheeks flushed. Methodically, he picked up the pitcher and a glass and filled it, presenting it to her with a slight incline of his head. Hermione took it from him with a shaky hand and nodded.

"Thank you, sir. I haven't sung like this in a long time and my throat feels it." Snape quirked one corner of his mouth up and sniffed.

"Indeed."

Hermione looked up at Snape over the rim of her glass as she took a swallow of water. Hesitantly, she lowered her glass a bit and offered, "I know of a tonic for strained throats if you might like to try it, sir. It's not quite a potion, but it has helped me before," she added as she saw his eyebrows arch in question.

He looked at her silently again. "I believe I shall put my trust in my potions over Muggle concoctions, thank you."

Hermione felt chastened and looked away. Snape could feel the tension between them. Idly, he stared out the window, all the while watching her in his peripheral vision. He could sense that she was struggling with herself about something. Finally, she took a deep breath and set her lips as she turned back to him.

"Professor..."

Snape rolled his eyes dramatically as he swivelled his head marginally to acknowledge her.

Straightening her shoulders, she continued, "I just wanted to tell you that I am so pleased you decided to sing. Your voice... it's..." She stammered a bit and trailed off, grimacing.

Snape turned to her. His gaze was stony as he bored his eyes into hers. "It's what, Miss Granger?"

She looked into his eyes and her breath caught. A small smile made its way to play across her lips. "I was right, you know," she murmured cryptically.

He scowled at her, setting his glass on the table and crossing his arms. "Right about what?" he asked, menacingly.

She felt breathless as she tried to answer. "I knew you would be as impressive as usual if you just gave it a chance."

Snape's eyes widened in surprise. He didn't even have to use Legilimency to tell that she was sincere. He felt a flutter of warmth in his centre and pinned her with an intense stare as he stepped closer and looked down into her upturned face. He could see her breathing erratically.

Silkily, he drawled, "Miss Granger, when I ask a question, I expect an answer. Now, finish your sentence. My voice. It's what?"

Hermione blinked a few times, unable to find words. Finally, she opened her mouth, and Snape arched one eyebrow, waiting for her response. Faltering, she said, "It's... uh, it's... well, sir, I... umm... it makes me... er, that is, it is... so... evocative."

Smirking faintly, he purred, "And just what does it evoke, Miss Granger?" Hermione opened her mouth but no sound came out. She quickly closed it again, flustered. "Your eloquence seems to have failed you now, but I do remember you saying that I should be familiar with the effects of my voice. Just what are those effects? The only effects I have ever seen in my classroom are fear and loathing. Are there others?" he added, rather mockingly.

Hermione's eyes widened and she inhaled sharply. "Yes! I mean, yes, certainly we're not afraid of you here as you sing..." she finished lamely.

Snape's eyes narrowed at her obvious half-truth and he frowned at her. "Tut tut, Miss Granger..."

He was completely unprepared for the vehemence of her reaction to his simple words, but then he remembered the last time he had said them to her and the events that had then transpired. The feelings she had been trying to bury suddenly blazed up and flared out of her. He felt his answering jolt.

They both stood there, eyes wide and unblinking, staring into each other's very souls. Snape felt the drawing in his groin and reeled back. Hermione stepped backward, her whole being vibrating like a tightly wound bowstring. Snape shook himself, like a duck shedding water, and distractedly picked up his glass, downing the rest of the water in several gulps. The shock of the icy water coursing through his system matched the prickling of icy sweat that oozed out of his pores.

Fighting for composure, they both turned back toward the group. Dumbledore had gone through "Prima Donna" several times for each individual and was now starting the song for everyone to sing. Snape and Hermione stood silently, avoiding each other's gaze and pretending to pay attention to the rehearsal.

As the end of the song approached, Hermione realized that Snape would need to come in with his part. She turned to speak, and was met with a firm hand waved in front of her face. Snape had his wand out, and he muttered, "Sonorus," as he pointed it at his throat. As the song came to its finale, he began his line, "So, it is to be war between us..."

His voice boomed through the Hall, causing everyone to jump in startled reaction, including Hermione, who stared at him in appreciative wonder. As the rest of the group sang the last words, he muttered "Quietus." Glancing at Hermione with a smug smirk, he saw her timorous smile in response. He let his gaze slide away from hers, once again unsure of how to interpret her reactions.

Again, she seems so transparent! But she's tarrying with that Potter imbecile. She can't honestly mean what she seems to show. Quite likely she's in the throes of her first love, he thought, grimacing, and you just happen to be one of the unfortunates who gets barraged with the excess of hormone-driven emotion! It would make no sense whatsoever for her to have feelings for you at all. Think logically, man! It's preposterous...

Hermione kept sneaking sidelong glances at Snape. She could see his firm jaw line throbbing as he ground his teeth. After his initial self-satisfied smirk, he had looked away and she saw his eyes darken and his lids lower. His smirk had faded into a tight grim line and his jaw began working.

What's bothering him now? He looks so tormented. But he seemed to have resigned himself to being in the play, and he even threw himself into it to be so very impressive at such an early stage. Why is he so unhappy now? What happened to make him so miserable? Hermione chewed her lip as she thought.

Oh, bollocks! You've probably just mortified him again, staring at him like a lovesick puppy! No wonder he looks so miserable. Would you want someone hanging about you like that if you didn't feel the same way? Of course not! And you've just gone and embarrassed yourself even more. Nicely done! Perhaps you can ask someone to Obliviate you so you can forget how humiliated you are! Too bad you can't cast it on him, so you can both be blissfully ignorant of the whole ruddy mess! Gods, girl, just get away from the poor man and stop making him even more uncomfortable...

Hermione hastily took one last swig of her water before putting it down and turning toward Snape again. "Excuse me, sir. I believe I should rejoin the group. Thank you for sharing your water with me." She looked up at him anxiously, waiting for some response before she walked off.

Snape kept his spine and neck rigid and looked down his nose at her. He saw the embarrassment plainly written on her face, and he was again impressed by her determination to be courteous and professional, even while in the throes of humiliation. I'll bet most girls would have simply burst into tears and fled. And yet she's still here, thanking me...

He heard that voice from within reiterate, See, she's not a girl. You keep forgetting! She's a woman... Hoping he was not blushing at that thought, Snape nodded stiffly and said, "Certainly, Miss Granger." There was an awkward pause as they both tried to look at each other without the other one knowing that they were doing so. Annoyed that he was flustered, Snape snapped, "Very well then. Off with you."

Hermione bobbed her head and hurried back to her seat. Snape tried not to watch the bounce and sway of her body as she moved. The cast had moved on to the performance of "Il Muto" and he lagged back where he was, not quite ready to go back. He watched Dumbledore taking the cast through the scene, most of it without the benefit of music since only parts of it were in the recording.

Eventually, it came to his line. Still across the room, he whispered "Sonorus" again and forebodingly bellowed, "Did I not instruct that Box Five was to be kept empty?" Several heads whipped around to look at him, wide-eyed. He took that moment to begin striding back to the group. He was about halfway to his seat when he said, dangerously, "A toad, Madame? Perhaps it is you who are the toad." He took a few more slow steps as Pansy sang her line and ended with a croak. As she croaked, he stopped, crossed his arms and let out a low, diabolical laugh.

Hermione braced herself, knowing how unnerving his laughter in this scene was, after hearing him in their first meeting. She felt the goose flesh rising on her arms and looked around the group, noting how many people were staring at Snape in fascination. Some of the girls...and Neville...were determinedly not looking at him, apparently terrified.

As his laughter grew during Pansy's horrific croaking, Hermione chanced a glance at him and was met with a bizarre sight. Snape was grinning evilly and his shoulders were actually shaking as he laughed...a full, albeit creepy, belly laugh. He flung his hands out to his sides and crowed, "Behold! She is singing to bring down the chandelier!"

Ron had to punch Neville in the arm to get him to say his lines. Neville sounded as scared as he used to in Potions class and practically squeaked his part. As the ballet scene progressed, in which Buquet falls from the fly system in a noose, Snape casually stepped to his seat and sank down, smirking. He flicked a smug glance at Hermione, who gave him a shaky smile and shook her head in awe.

As soon as the scene dissolved into pandemonium, and Hermione called for Harry as Raoul, Snape's bemused and self-satisfied expression melted into one of black ire.

Hermione looked blankly at the floor as she sang with Harry. Harry kept glancing at Hermione in between looking at his script for his lines. When she came to the line "so distorted, deformed, it was hardly a face, in that darkness..." Harry shot a glance at Snape, only to find him glowering at him, a look of barely-restrained wrath on his face. Harry felt himself quail at the sheer aura of danger surrounding the man glaring at him, but put up a brave front and gazed back at Snape for a moment before turning his attention back to his script.

Hermione began singing about the Phantom's voice, and a ghost of a smile hovered on her lips. As she moved on to her line, "those pleading eyes, that both threaten and adore," she hesitantly looked up through her lashes at Snape. She saw the seething anger in his frame as he glared balefully at Harry. Harry sang, comforting her, "Christine... Christine..." Suddenly, Snape looked at her and caught her eye as he quietly echoed him, "Christine..." the sound of his voice was low but it still reverberated around the Hall, since the Sonorus spell was still in effect.

Then, as the music changed for "All I Ask of You," Snape's face took on a closed look, as if he were carved in stone, and he sank back in his chair, tightly folding his arms across his chest. Hermione felt her insides shudder in response and wished she could get him to open up instead of shutting down. She kept her eyes downcast, but she put all of her feelings and will into singing the song to Snape, trying to will him into hearing it and realizing that she cared about him.

Harry, immersed in his song, was revelling in it, and was completely oblivious to Hermione's lack of focus on him. Snape sat, smouldering, hearing the underlying emotion in Harry's singing. He knew that the boy really meant all the flowery things Raoul said in the song. When Hermione sang in response, Snape found himself wishing that he were in Harry's place. As soon as that thought crossed his mind, Snape nearly exploded in self-loathing and anger.

He huffed a harsh exhalation through his nose and shot up in his seat. Fingers twitching with the desire to strangle the boy singing across from him, Snape stood hastily and spun on his heel, exiting the group again. He agitatedly sped to the table and chugged another glass of water. He felt Hermione's eyes on his back, even as she sang the sweet words of her song to Harry. He closed his eyes, railing at himself for even thinking about her again. He should never have allowed himself to want her. Taking a deep breath and holding it, he willed himself to forget the feelings he saw in her gaze, the reactions he sensed in her body. Once stars began to swim against his closed lids, his breath exploded from him, and a sigh that seemed to draw from the deepest recesses of his being hissed out of him.

Back at the group, Hermione was watching Snape as he stalked away. She could see the rigid tension in his shoulders and wanted to soothe it away. Beside her, Harry was waxing enthusiastic in his singing. Hermione knew that Harry cared for her quite a bit, and their shared kisses spoke of a deeper desire. She recalled the excitement she felt in Harry's arms, and with his lips on hers. Even now, she felt a tingle in her stomach. But then she remembered the intensity of desire she felt when she was with Snape at their first meeting. Again, she felt a tingle in her centre.

She was nearing the end of the song, and she watched Snape, wondering if he would remember his part. As the music slowed and changed, she held her breath, waiting for him to sing. She was not disappointed. But, she was not prepared for the anguish she heard in his voice.

Snape stayed at the table, facing away from the group. He listened for his cue, and, eyes still closed, he sang his lines, his shoulders sagging slightly. The pain of his lonely existence surfaced, finding an outlet in his voice as he sang the words of betrayal and hurt. The cast was beginning to get used to the sound of Snape's voice resounding through the Hall under the spell, and most of them didn't look back at him.

Hermione felt her throat tighten as she sang the last lines with Harry. Resolutely, she forced herself to sing normally and not let her feelings take over. But, the eyes that burned into Snape's back were glistening with tears.

Once Harry and Hermione finished their last lines, Snape's shoulders lifted and he whirled around, face white with fury. The ominous tone of his voice rang through the Hall as he sang, "You will curse the day you did not do all that the Phantom asked of you!" He strode quickly back to the group as he held the note. The music swelled and he seized the back of his chair in a white-knuckled grip as he began laughing maniacally again. Hermione shivered at the sound. He truly sounded unhinged. After a moment, Snape roared, "Go!" pinning both Harry and Hermione with a threatening glare. The music spiralled down into its final notes and Dumbledore closed the music box.

The silence that reigned almost sang with pent-up energy. Dumbledore beamed around the circle and started clapping, saying, "Wonderful, all of you, simply marvellous!"

Snape, sliding his gaze away from Harry and Hermione, relaxed his grip on the chair back and mouthed "Quietus" as he pointed his wand at his throat. All around the circle, others joined Dumbledore in his applause, and multiple conversations erupted. In the sudden tumult of sound, Snape glanced back at Hermione, who was being surrounded by her friends, all of whom were smiling and gushing over her talent. Even McGonagall made her way over to her prize student with a motherly smile and congratulated her on her singing.

Snape saw Draco muttering to Pansy condescendingly about how to do an Italian accent. Seamus and Dean were pounding Neville on the back and praising him for getting through it. Neville was blushing furiously and gave them a wilted smile. Parvati and Lavender were talking over the chorus parts with their idol Trelawney. Everyone was talking to someone except him, and nobody was likely to talk to him either. Once again feeling the sting of being left out, Snape scowled and turned to walk back to the table he had Summoned, for one last drink before he Banished it.

Hermione was quite embarrassed by the deluge of praise and admiration. She kept trying to change the subject or divert attention from herself, but someone would bring up something else she had sung and the group would start all over again. Even Dumbledore was standing on the edge of the group, twinkling and beaming at her. Harry had grabbed her hand and was holding it tightly, stroking her knuckles with his thumb. Feeling rather overwhelmed by the attention, she frantically cast her gaze about the Hall, looking for a way out. She spied Snape making his way to the water table and felt a pang of regret that so much was being made of her and no one had even mentioned his amazing performance.

Yanking her hand from Harry's, she forced her way over to Dumbledore and addressed him. "Headmaster, thank you for your kind words about my performance, but I think you're forgetting someone else who deserves just as much regard." She looked up at him meaningfully and tilted her head in the direction of Snape's departing form.

Dumbledore, knowing Severus as he did, knew he would not appreciate a big to-do being made over him, so he merely smiled at Hermione and nodded. "Of course, my dear, but..." He was cut off by Hermione whirling about and shoving through the crowd toward Snape.

"Professor Snape!"

The Hall quieted again as Snape set his glass down on the table and turned regally toward the group. His expression was cold as he looked at the crowd, with Hermione a step in front of them, looking at him.

"Yes, Miss Granger?"

Hermione felt her heart beating wildly, and wished she had some support from those behind her, but she knew they were all too afraid of the man to venture out on the limb where she was. Even Dumbledore just stood, warily watching the scene unfold.

"Sir, I just wanted to say, on behalf of the cast, that we were pleasantly surprised to find you had such a hidden talent. You are a gifted performer, and we are grateful to have you with us." She briefly spun around and fixed the others assembled with a dangerous glare, watching the quicker of them catch on and nod hastily at Snape, murmuring agreement. Draco sneered at Hermione, but stepped forward and began offering his Head of House a round of applause, which was quickly taken up by the other Slytherins and Hermione, and belatedly so by the others.

Snape felt torn between gratitude for the recognition and paranoid doubt at the sincerity of her words. He looked to Dumbledore and saw the man beaming at him, clapping fiercely. McGonagall stepped up beside Dumbledore and gave Snape a calculating look as she applauded as well. It suddenly dawned on Snape that the applause was still going on, and it seemed likely that Hermione would continue it until he responded.

Trying not to appear as disconcerted as he felt, he walked evenly back to the group, glancing at everyone's faces. Hermione was smiling broadly, albeit nervously, as she watched him approach. His eyes locked with hers and he stopped. With a barely discernable quirk of the corners of his mouth, he gracefully bowed. Straightening again, he held up his hand. The applause stopped instantly.

"I appreciate the sentiment. However, I was merely doing my duty to the headmaster, as I expect all of you to as well. Therefore, there is nothing singular in my achievement to merit such recognition." He pinned Hermione with a piercing look before graciously turning to the headmaster and nodding.

Hermione managed to feel rebuked for the fuss the others made over her. She blushed and looked down. Dumbledore chuckled at Snape's words and stepped up to grasp his arm. "All the same, I must say that I was indeed delighted by the quality of everyone's work tonight. If this is how good you are at this early stage, I can only await with bated breath the triumph we are sure to attain at the competition. Congratulations to everyone on a job well done. Keep up the good work. Remember, costume fittings are tomorrow evening, so check the notice board for your time slot tomorrow morning. That is all. You are dismissed."

Hermione felt Harry grabbing her hand and pulling her along with him and Ron and Ginny. She allowed herself to look back at Snape once more before joining the others.

Snape was watching Hermione in his peripheral vision again. He saw Harry manhandling her and felt the fury well up. He ground his teeth and clenched his hands, willing himself to look away. He didn't succeed, however, and saw her look back at him as she left. McGonagall stepped up to him and drew his attention. Irritably, he glared at her.

"Severus, you have some explaining to do."

Sighing, he retorted acidly, "Whatever do you mean, Minerva?"

"What do I mean? Merlin, Severus, what else could I mean?" She planted her hands on her hips and stared at him severely. For a moment, Snape felt the sickening dread that she had somehow noticed his feelings for Hermione and was about to get him fired. Then, the cold trickle of fear vanished as she continued.

"Why have you concealed the fact that you have a wonderful singing voice? Haven't you heard me any of the times I have wanted to start a choir here? I only needed someone else who could sing and help me with the management of it. You have deliberately kept it a secret, just to thwart me!" She bobbed her head at him with each point, absurdly reminding him of a bird pecking at its food. In his relief, he found himself smirking.

"Really, Severus, you are the living end! Oh, don't smirk at me like that. I knew Slytherins were selfish, but to keep that from us for all these years... I must say that I am disgusted. But, I will take a certain pleasure in this performance, just because you will be forced to do it against your will. And I don't like feeling so vindictive! It's not very Gryffindor." She sniffed petulantly and threw him a haughty glare. He rolled his eyes in return.

"Are you quite finished with your little tirade? I would like to retire to my quarters, if you don't mind." He sneered at her.

She narrowed her eyes at him and stiffened, offering a little, "Hmph" before she bade him good night. He turned away from her with a deep sigh of relief and aggravation, only to find Dumbledore directly in his path.

"Headmaster, good night..."

He tried to step around the man, but was stopped by a firm grip on his arm. Dumbledore twinkled at him and said with a chuckle, "Severus, my dear boy, you really were quite impressive. I must say I had no idea! The Sorting Hat did an admirable job in casting, I can tell already. I just wanted to thank you for your hard work and dedication. I know how little you wanted to be a part of this, but you have really stepped up to the challenge. I can see the trophy already! Hogwarts has to win! With you and Miss Granger in the lead roles, and with your formidable talents, we will undoubtedly succeed." He let go of Snape's arm and clasped his hands, clapping softly.

Snape schooled his expression into one of polite attention, all the while squirming at Dumbledore's rapt words. Desperately wanting to be alone, he nodded politely. "As you say, certainly, sir. Good night." He stepped away as quickly as possible, noting that the Hall was empty of the rest of the cast. He marched out of the Hall and turned to go down the corridor toward the staircases, one up toward the Towers, and another down to the dungeons.

*part 2 of this chapter is coming up next*