Bittersweet
Ch.7 Dare or Dare
A/N: The songs in this chapter are by the following artists: Kelly Clarkson, Maroon 5, Train, Avril Lavinge, Joy Williams, and The Click Five.
"Dare or dare?" Lilly asked Amy Fleming. "Why do you ask that? Dare." "Go ask Ty out on a date." "Okay." Amy got up and walked out of the Portrait Hole. "She'll be gone for at least three hours. She loves a good broom closet more than Teen Witch. James, you go next." James smirked at Lily. They had a plan to play matchmaker. "Frank, you and Alice have to go to the 3rd floor broom closet and stay there, together, for two hours. Take a watch, and I put a charm on you to prevent you from coming out early or not going there." Alice's mouth opened and closed several time so that she looked like a fish out of water. Frank looked nervous, but the set his jaw and firmly nodded. He helped Alice up, walking far apart as the Portrait Hole was allowed. Both Gryffindors had liked each other for over 2 years now, but both were too shy to admit it.
Sirius looked at Peter with a malicious grin on his face. "Peter, you have to go to the Hufflepuff common room and disrobe in this order: underwear, undershirt, shirt, pants, and robes. Keep your tie on at all times, but never touch it. While doing this, you must yell, 'I am a gay pigmy puff!' at the top of your lungs. If someone talks to you, yell even louder, 'Life is like a watermelon when you are a gay pigmy puff!' Then you can streak for three hours; I know you like to." Peter had a wide, tooth-splitting grin on his face as he literally skipped away to the Hufflepuff common room. Everyone laughed.
The Dare or Dare circle now consisted of only six people: Sirius, Max, Remus, Raven, James, and Lily. James stood up. "Now that all of the insignificant people," Lily slapped him, but James continued, "are gone, we can commence with the real Dare or Dare contest. We are now officially starting the Gryffindor Karaoke Cook-off! We all have five minutes to invent a song to sing for our partners. The pairings are: Sirius and Max, Raven and Remus, and Lily and I. Ready? Set? Go!" The other 5 people in the common room stared at James like he had turned into a mongoose, which he may have, and then set to work on their songs. Five minutes later, James stood up again. "Now that we have finished our songs, we have 20 minutes to change into proper clothing for our singing début in the Gryffindor Karaoke Cook-off!"
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"Hey, Moony, what are you wearing?" Sirius asked, while rummaging in his trunk for only heaven knows what. "I dunno, it doesn't really matter, does it?" Remus sighed, while looking at his dismal wardrobe. " Doesn't matter? Of course it matters! You can take what you want from my trunk, I don't care. Should I wear hot or baby pink?" "Hot pink, it's much more masculine. Here Moony, wear this shirt with Padfoot's black jeans. James tossed a hunter green shirt to his friend while putting on a tight black T-shirt with stonewashed jeans. Sirius pulled on his favorite pair of Turkish leather pants. "Let's roll."
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After the makeup was properly in place, the girl's set about putting on proper clothes. In the end, Max was wearing hunter green pants, a black studded belt, and a gray tank top that said, "I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it." Raven wore black pants with a blue shirt that said," Everyone needs to believe in something. I believe in chocolate." Lily wore hunter green pants, an orange army belt, and an almost transparent orange shirt that said, "I don't suffer from stress. I am a carrier." The three girls quickly went downstairs to meet… Sirius Black throwing paper airplanes?!
"Hiya, people!" Sirius Black yodeled. He had on Turkish leather pants 2 sizes too small, and a blinding hot pink shirt that said, "Chaos, panic, and disorder- my work is done here." James was wearing stylish stonewashed and slightly frayed pants and a tight black shirt. Remus had similar attire, only with black pants and a green shirt. Lily hated to admit, but they all had good fashion sense, except Sirius. "Let's get this Cook-off started!" James yelled, jumping over the back of an innocent, unsuspecting couch. "Max, you go first, you look brave and insane tonight."
Max stood up, grateful that Sirius had dropped Dungbombs and put a charm on the portrait hole so that the common room would stay empty for hours to come. "Ok, ahhh, my song for Sirius is called um… 'Who Knows'." Nervous at first, she started her song.
Why do you look so familiar
I could swear that I have seen your face before
I think I like that you seem sincere
I think I'd like to get to know you
A little bit more
Sirius smiled at Max, who in turn felt warmth crawl up her from her toes to her head. She began to smile, and her voice became stronger as she entered the chorus.
I think there's something more
Life's worth living for
Who knows what could happen
Do what you do
Just keep on laughing
One thing's true
There's always a brand new day
I'm gonna live today like it's my last day
How do you always have an opinion
How do you always find
The best way to compromise
We don't need to have a reason
We don't need anything
We're just wasting time
She smiled at Sirius as she repeated the chorus, and thought that maybe he wasn't as insane as she thought. "Nope, he's still crazy, but hot crazy." As she watched him shift and pick at his leather pants, which accidentally on purpose gave her a good view of his butt. Lily slapped him for being... himself.
Find yourself
'Cause I can't find you
Be yourself
Who are you?
Find yourself
'Cause I can't find you
Be yourself
Who are you?
This time, she danced and shook her head to the chorus, encouraging Sirius to do the same. Sirius took advantage of the situation to show off his leather pants, wagging his rear in people's faces, which earned him several more slaps on the arm. He would have to get it de-reddened later.
So you go and make it happen
Do your best
Just keep on laughing
I'm telling you
There's always a brand new day
Everyone clapped at Max's brave, insane performance worthy of Sirius. The Marauders actually yelled 'Kazaa' while jumping in the air. Then Sirius took a deep, exaggerated breath (the Turkish pants were restricting his airway) and stepped up to the "platform", which was actually a rug in front of the fire. Sirius was flattered by Max's performance. He rethought that statement. Sirius Black does not get flattered. I do the flattering. I'm flattering-ly hot. I think I'm hooked. Oh please, sweet Merlin, have mercy, I can't be hung up on a girl. I'll never live this down. Maybe I should go back to those people that I shared horrid childhood memories and a last name with right now while I'm in this alternate universe. Forcing himself out of his thoughts, he began his intro. "My song is called 'She Will be Loved'."
Beauty queen of only seventeen
She had some trouble with herself
He was always there to help her
She always belonged to someone else
I drove for miles and miles
And wound up at your door
I've had you so many times but somehow
I want more
Sirius plunged into the chorus, but found himself unable to look into Max's blue eyes. Oh, Goodness, I'm SHY! Oh no, Oh no, Oh no.
I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
She will be loved
Tap on my window knock on my door
I want to make you feel beautiful
I know I tend to get insecure
It doesn't matter anymore
Sirius now thought to warn Max that there was a promise he could not keep in the midst of war. He had no idea what he was singing, as he couldn't invent a song if his life depended on it, but he just sang his thoughts. Not all of them, as that would be gross, but the ones in a controlled environment.
It's not always rainbows and butterflies
It's compromise that moves us along
My heart is full and my door's always open
You can come anytime you want
I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
She will be loved
As he repeated the chorus he realized that he had a feeling that he had never had before. It was like longing, but not. It was like what he felt for the Marauders, but different. It wasn't like what he felt for other girls; he wanted to make her laugh when she was happy, and hold her when she was sad. He was utterly clueless as to what the feeling was. He would ask James about it later. "Ok Lily, your turn."
Lily would not hold for being nervous, she would not hold for shame. She stepped up to the uhhh… rug, and announced, "My song to James is called 'You Found Me', and Sirius, I forbid you to make anything perverted about it." He smirked. She started in her naturally alto voice.
Is this a dream
If it is
Please don't wake me from this high
I'd become comfortably numb `
Until you opened up my eyes
To what it's like
When everything's right
I can't believe
She started the chorus with eyes bubbling with happiness, having no sight other than James, with his rack of black... hay. Sirius had the same idea about his friend's hair. It does look like hay. So his head could be properly called a hayrack. Sweet. Back to the Lily and non-insane idiots...
You found me
When no one else was looking
How did you know just where I would be
Yeah, you broke through all of my confusion
The ups and the downs
And you still didn't leave
I guess that you saw what nobody could see
You found me
You found me
So here we are
And that's pretty far
When you think of where we've been
No going back, I'm fading out
All that has faded me within
You're by my side
Now everything's fine
I can't believe
Lily repeated the chorus, and spread her feet wider to give her more support, for all she wanted to do was melt into those hazel eyes she saw. She would melt to the floor like a chocolate palace on a hot, desert day. I'm melting... Petunia actually tried to melt her once. It didn't work very well, as Petunia is allergic to boiled water. That day her name was Bonzo.
And I was hiding
Till you came along
And showed me where I belong
You found me
When no one else was looking
How did you know, how did you know
You found me
When no one else was looking
How did you know just where I would be
Yeah, you broke through all of my confusion
The ups and the downs
And you still didn't leave
I guess that you saw what nobody could see
You found me As she finished, she hugged James before she sat down and he got up to sing. She was excited to see what he would sing about. "This is a song I wrote about 2 years ago, before Lily blessed me with her oh-so-holy presence." James smirked as Lily swatted at him. "You better believe it!" she commented before he began to sing in his sweet, tenor voice.
She's cold and she's cruel
But she knows what she's doin'
She pushed me in the pond
At our last meeting
She laughs at my dreams
But I dream about her laughter
Strange as it seems
She's the one I'm after
Cause she's bittersweet
She knocks me off of my feet
And I can't help myself
I don't want anyone else
She's a mystery
She's too much for me
But I keep comin' back for more
She's just the girl I'm lookin' for
James remembered all the times he had been literally knocked off of his feet, either by a spell or a physical blow from Lily. Good days, but not as good as these surrounded by my friends... I wish they could last forever.
She can't bite back a retort
For more than a second
She runs on 100 Marauder-proof power
And the more she ignores me
The more I adore her
What can I do?
I'd do anything for her
Lily really is Marauder-proof. James thought as he repeated the chorus. He remembered when he actually tracked Lily and got her muggle phone number. He even bought a cell phone just to call her. He was blocked quite quickly with his attempts. He then finished off his song with a bang.
The way she sees it's me
On her caller ID
She won't pick up the phone
She'd rather be alone
But I can't give up just yet
Cause every word she's ever said
Is still ringin' in my head
Still ringin' in my head
She's cold and she's cruel
But she knows what she's doin'
Knows just what to say
So my whole day is ruined
Cause she's bittersweet
She knocks me off of my feet
And I can't help myself
I don't want anyone else
She's a mystery
She's too much for me
But I keep comin' back for more
Cause she's just the girl I'm lookin' for
Just the girl I'm lookin' for
Lily was shocked yet pleased at this honest, very honest song. She was surprised at the boldness James had to sing her this after he came up with it for her two years ago. As James sat down, she scooted onto his lap. As Remus stepped up, she had a feeling that the best couple of songs would be saved for last. Remus cleared his throat nervously, then said, "Raven, I dedicate this song to you. I mean every word of it. It's named 'Drops of Jupiter'. I hope you like it, cause I think it's okay."
Now that she's back in the atmosphere
With drops of Jupiter in her hair, hey, hey
She acts like summer and walks like rain
Reminds me that there's time to change, hey, hey
Since the return from her stay on the moon
She listens like spring and she talks like June, hey, hey
Tell me did you sail across the sun
Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded
And that heaven is overrated
Tell me, did you fall for a shooting star
One without a permanent scar
And did you miss me while you were looking at yourself out there
Remus took a deep breath. He had put special emphasis on the stanzas "fall for a shooting star, one without a permanent scar" and "listens like spring and she talks like June". He continued on.
Now that she's back from that soul vacation
Tracing her way through the constellation, hey, hey
She checks out Mozart while she does tae-boo
Reminds me that there's time to grow, hey, hey
Now that she's back in the atmosphere
I'm afraid that she might think of me as plain ol' Jane
Told a story about a man who is too afraid to fly so he never did land
Tell me did the wind sweep you off your feet
Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day
And head back to the Milky Way
And tell me, did Venus blow your mind
Was it everything you wanted to find
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there Remus now thought that he couldn't breathe for looking at Raven. She was his oxygen. She smiled at him, giving him the courage to finish the song that he believed in so fiercely.
Can you imagine no love, pride, deep-fried pork-chops
Your best friend always sticking up for you even when I know you're wrong
Can you imagine no first dance, freeze dried romance five-hour floo
Conversation
The best butterbeer that you ever had . . . and me
Tell me did the wind sweep you off your feet
Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day
And head back toward the Milky Way
Tell me, did you fall for a shooting star
One without a permanent scar
And did you miss me while you were looking at yourself out there
"Oh, Remus, I've never been happier than when I'm with you. Ever." She whispered in his ear, and Remus smiled. "Well, I'm last, but definitely not least, so Remus, my song for you is called 'Hide'. Come talk to me afterwards about the last couple of stanzas, okay?" Remus nodded, a bit confused as Raven started to sing in a clear, strong voice.
To anyone who hides behind a smile
To anyone who holds their pain inside
To anyone who thinks they're not good enough
To anyone who feels unworthy of love
To anyone who ever closed the door
Closed their eyes and locked themselves away, I say:
You don't have to hide
You don't have to hide anymore
You don't have to face this on your own
You don't have to hide anymore
As Raven paused for a moment to breathe, Remus stared in shock. He expected good lyrics from Raven since she was the second smartest witch in the school, behind Lily, but nothing of this magnitude. It was like getting ran over by the Hogwart's Express. Twice. After a bad transformation. It was like that, but on the mind, not body.
So come out, come out, come out wherever you are
To anyone who's tryin' to cover up their scars
To anyone who's ever made a big mistake
We've all been there, so don't be ashamed
Come out, come out and join the rest of us
You've been alone for way too long
And if you feel like no one understands
Come to the One with scars on His hands
'Cause He knows where you are, where you've been
His scars will heal you if you let Him
Remus was confused. Who had scars on his hands? Was he an older werewolf? How could his scars heal him? He knew where he had been? No one knows that. Not even the Marauders. This must be the stanza Raven was talking about. He pushed it out of his mind as Raven began to sing again. She was really good. He knew there was a choir, but she wasn't in it, and yet, she was better than the whole choir put together.
You don't have to hide
You don't have to hide anymore
You don't have to face this on your own
You don't have to hide anymore
You don't have to hide
You don't have to hide anymore
You don't have to face this on your own
You don't have to hide anymore
You don't have to
You don't have to
You don't have to hide
You don't have to hide
You don't have to
Raven finished as the five other teens gaped. Remus has his jaw dropped to the floor. She put her finger under his chin and closed it, then gestured to a dark corner of the common room. They needed to talk about another important relationship that Remus had.
A/N: Okay, so that is chapter seven. It's a lot shorter than it appears, because of the lyrics, but it is still quite long. I'm working really hard on getting longer chapters. I guess you found out about my other obsessions in this chapter. I love funny, but not offensive T-shirts, and these songs have been itching to come out, and this is a lot easier than writing like fifteen one-shots. So I know that I have bored you to tears with like six songs in one chapter, so I promise that there will only be the regular one at the top in chapter eight. I'm sure you all figured out what it was Sirius was feeling, but he's a dumbbell, so he doesn't know yet. I'm also assuming you know what Raven's most important stanzas are talking about, but Remus doesn't, so some of next chapter will be about that. Not all of it though, so don't be warded away. I warn you though, if you don't review, I will put another 15 songs in every chapter. I know a LOT. You have been warned. Nighty night.