"You were seen," Snape was holding up a newspaper to our faces, "by no less than 7 muggles." The newspaper cover had a half invisible car on it. I widened my eyes, and I could feel my face turning red. Why did muggles have to be so observant? Oh boy... "Do you have any idea how serious this is?!" (R.I.P. Alan Rickman) He flew the newspaper down. "You have risked the exposer of our world," Snape continued. "Not to mention, the damage you did to the Whomping Willow that has been on this ground since before you were born," Oh please, I think that willow is perfectly fine. It did more damage to us than we did to it. I sighed. I was stuck between Ron and Harry, and I was getting in trouble for their stupidity. Well granted the whole car invisible thing was all me, but would they rather of us been flying full color on the front of the paper?
"Honestly Professor Snape," Ron started, "I think it did more damage to us." Thank you! Ron and I actually agree on more than just food.
"Silence!" Snape snapped. Then he started to crawl his way from around the desk. I stepped closer to the wall. Weirdo... "I assure you, if you were in Slytherin and your fate was rested with me, you three would be on the train home; tonight."
"They are not," I heard a familiar voice come from the doorway. I turned and Professor Dumbledore, followed by Professor McGonagall, were there. I smiled. Came to save the day!
"Professor Dumbledore," Harry stated by the sight of them.
"Headmaster," Snape pointed at us, "these students..." Then he said some words that I didn't quite understand but I did hear something about underage magic. We didn't use magic. We used a car that had some magical powers...that's not the same thing right?
"I am well aware of our bylaws, Severus," Dumbledore walked towards the four of us; then was followed by Professor McGonagall, "having written a few of them myself. However, being in Gryffindor house, it is McGonagall's option about how they will be punished."
"Might as well be packing then?" Ron piped up. I turned to Ron with confusion.
"What are you talking about, Mr. Weasley?" McGonagall asked.
"You're going to expel us, aren't you?" He said sadly. They wouldn't do that. I know McGonagall too well.
"Not today, Mr. Weasley," She said. I like how she said 'not today'. As if she expects him too.
I turned to the boys who were smiling. I smiled by the sight of everyone. Snape in frustration; Flinch in disappointment; Dumbledore smiling in happiness; McGonagall in a proud state. This is how it's supposed to be.
"But I will be writing to your families tonight to engrave the seriousness of what you three have done," McGonagall piped up. I don't mind. My mom doesn't care about me. "And you three will receive detention." Seriously? Great, as long as I don't have it with someone I hate; like Snape.
"Now, I think it is time that everybody heads to the Great Hall," Dumbledore chimed up. "Ms. Meadows had promised McGonagall and me a performance." He turned to us and I saw a twinkle in his eyes as he smiled.
The boys turned to me, "What?"
"I said, 'you'll see'," I said, walking out of the door.
We all headed towards the Great Hall, and people were talking and eating. I smiled as I noticed Ginny was at the Gryffindor table. I knew she'd get in. We walked in, and people started to look at us. Some whispered to their friends, others just didn't care and went back to talking with their friends. We went over and sat by Hermione. She smiled over at me, then looked me up and down. "You aren't in your robes," she was shocked.
"No time to explain. I will later," I said looking to Dumbledore.
I saw McGonagall tap her glass, then I grabbed the water goblet in front of me and took a big drink. "Everybody, I would like you to stand and spread yourselves out," Dumbledore had gotten everybody's attention. They did as they were told. A lot of them looked confused. I got up and walked over to Dumbledore. He handed me a wireless microphone as everybody was spreading out. It's probably enchanted or something. "Tonight, we are going to be having a performance by one of our students: Bridget Meadows."
As soon as he said that a lot of students cheered. Oh boy... Dumbledore put his hands up to quiet them, "Save the applause for afterwards." I had gotten down on the Gryffindor table, and all the other tables and benches had disappeared.
I could feel my heart racing as everybody stared at me. It's okay, Bridge. You'll do great. I tried to comfort myself. It was kind of working. Just pretend you're in your room. Go with the feeling, emotion, and beat to the song. I turned to Dumbledore, and nodded. He smiled and nodded. Then the music started up:
("She's so gone" by Naomi Scott; from Lemonade Mouth on Disney Channel)
Insecure
In her skin
Like a puppet, a girl on a string
I was a little timid at first then I sang with courage as I saw people dancing. They're dancing...They're dancing to me!
Broke away
Learned to fly
If you want her back gotta let her shine
I started to walk down the Gryffindor table and look around. Hermione was jumping and dancing with Ginny. Harry and Ron were watching me in amazement. My time in the spotlight.
So it looks like the jokes on you
Cause the girl that you thought you knew
Then I jumped off the Gryffindor table and the beat hit right as I hit the floor. Everyone went crazy.
She's so gone
It's so over know
She's so gone
You won't find her around
You can look but you won't see
The girl I used to be
Cause she
She's so gone
I started to walk around the Great Hall. I started with Hufflepuffs People were coming up to me, even some Slytherins, and high-fiving me. I got as many people as I could as I kept singing.
Here I am
This is me
And I'm stronger than you'd ever thought I'd be
I walked over by the Slytherins.
Are you shocked?
Are you mad?
That you're missing out on who I really am
I looked to Draco as I sang those lyrics. We were both staring at each other while I sang. His mouth was wide open in astonishment. I smiled as I sang.
Now it looks like the jokes on you
Cause the girl that you thought you knew
I started to walk back up onto the Gryffindor table.
She's so gone
It's so over now
She's so gone
You won't find her around
I looked to the Professor's table and Hagrid was stunned. Snape had his eyes wide open; almost looked like Malfoy. Dumbledore was doing a little dance as well as Professor McGonagall. Lockhart had on the face that says, "Not bad". I'm going to be better than this dude. Show him I'm better.
You can look but you won't see
The girl I used to be
Cause she
I turned and strutted across the Gryffindor table.
She's so gone away
Like history
She's so gone
Baby, this is me, yeah
Then there a little pause, almost as if the song was over. Then the beat came back. I knew this version too well. I jumped and the beat came back and I belted the notes. The applause was big this time. It came from the Professors too.
She's so gone
That's so over now
She's so gone
You won't find her around
I ran across the Great Hall and made my way back to the Gryffindor table. So, to finish it off, I climbed on it. Gotta make the ending dramatic.
You can look but you won't see
The girl I used to be
Cause she's so gone
She's so gone
You can look but you won't see
The girl I used to be
Cause she's so gone
She's so gone
She's so long
She's so gone
Gone, gone, gone
And with the last three beats: I flew my hair to the right, then left, and flung my face upwards. Everyone, or at least I thought I heard everyone, was cheering and clapping. I looked around and everyone had a smile on their faces.
"Give it up for Bridget Meadows!" I heard McGonagall call out behind me. Everyone started to whistle and clap. They were clapping for me. Because I did something amazing. It wasn't because our house needed points, or because I was with Harry, or because of my grandparents. It was because of my talent.
The rest of that night, people were telling me how amazing I was. I thanked them and head to bed. Of course after I explained to Hermione about what happened. She thought it was stupid and hilarious. I did too after I explained it. That night I went to sleep and my last thought was I hope Draco got the message.