A/N: I've never taken on a challenge before, but this one by Lily H. Potter caught my attention. So here's what I came up with. I hope you like it, Lily. The story is OOC, of course, since last I read, there is no karaoke in the Wizarding world and Wizard folks are not very familiar with Muggle music! ; )
Challenge in Lily's words:
I was thinking what better would happen if say Ginny or Cho or some other jealous girlfriend tried to embarrass Hermione in front of Harry, which of course backfires. Harry and co. go to a karaoke bar and Harry's love interest decides that she wants to embarrass Hermione in front of Harry by signing her up to sing on stage. Of course, Hermione, not wanting to cause a scene goes ahead and goes on stage. The song that the gal has picked out is Blondie's "I Touch Myself".
But to add a twist to the whole thing, before Hermione starts to sing, she dedicates the song to Harry. This of course makes Harry rethink his feelings for Hermione.
How everything else works out it up to you.
0-0
Karaoke Surprise
"We're still on for tonight, right `Mione?" Harry asked from the doorway.
Hermione looked up from the papers on her desk and smiled at him. "Yes, Harry. Even though going to a karaoke bar with all of you seems almost as scary as fighting Voldemort. I don't know what Ginny was thinking. If it wasn't because she's your girlfriend, I wouldn't go."
"She's not my girlfriend," he corrected her quickly.
"Fine, your shagging partner then," Hermione conceded with a chuckle.
Harry blushed at her words. "Not that either and you know it. We just date every now and then, nothing more."
Hermione sighed. Harry and Ginny had been dating on and off for several months now and Hermione couldn't help but wonder why. After the war ended, Ginny had changed a lot and her choice in friends left everyone surprised. She didn't go anywhere, nor did anything, unless Cho and Lavender were at her side. They'd become quite the tarts.
"Why go out with her at all then? Why don't you date someone you really like?
"Because the one I really like is not available. And until that happens, I can't very well ask her."
"Fine. Go on home. I'll see you later tonight."
"Don't stay much longer. It's Friday night after all and you work too much as it is. I don't know how Peter can stand it."
"That's because Peter is no longer a part of my life!"
"When did that happen?" he asked clearly surprised by the news.
"Over a month ago."
"Why didn't you tell me, `Mione? I would have been there for you. I'm really sorry."
"Oh, Harry, there's nothing to be sorry about. If no one noticed it's because it didn't affect me all that much. I would have let you know otherwise. I promise you I'm fine."
"Okay. I'll see you later on tonight."
"I'll see you."
0-0
She started putting her papers away and Apparated home shortly after. Once there she ate a light dinner and took a shower. She dressed in a pair of jeans that rode low on her hips and hugged her figure to perfection. She paired them with a black tank top with spaghetti straps. On her feet were black strappy heels. She tamed her chestnut curls a bit but left them lose. Make-up consisted of mascara and a bit of lip gloss.
The only reason Hermione had agreed to go to the karaoke bar was because Luna Lovegood and Susan Bones were going with her. They had become close due to their work and because they shared many interests that were not appealing to their other friends. They thrived while learning and partying was low on their list of priorities.
At nine her doorbell rang and she went to answer it. Luna and Susan were on the other side.
"You look sexy," Luna said as she walked in.
"Thanks! You look really nice as well. Ron is going to love it."
Luna blushed prettily. She had been dating Ron for a few months and was delighted about it. Hermione and Harry had been the ones to bring them together. Susan had been dating Neville for a year.
"Are you ready?" Susan asked.
"I just need to grab my bag and then we can go."
"I need to tell you something before we go, though," Susan said in a worried tone.
Hermione stopped at her tone and turned back to face her. "What is it?"
Susan fidgeted with the bag in her hands and looked everywhere but at her. "I overheard a conversation in the office loo today that worried me a bit."
"About me?"
Susan nodded. "Seems Ginny and her new gal pals are planning on embarrassing you tonight."
Hermione frowned. "What do you mean?"
"They are going to make you sing some silly song hoping that you'll make a fool of yourself in front of Harry. Ginny doesn't like how close the two of you are and is trying to humiliate you in front of him," Susan told her.
"Those cows!" Luna exclaimed. "I can't believe Ginny would stoop so low."
Hermione shook her head in wonderment and laughed a bit in disbelief. "It's not my fault we're so close. If she would learn to love him as just Harry, she would have a better chance at making him love her back. But she's always been in love with the hero."
"You can't let them get away with it, `Mione," Luna said.
"Oh, they won't. No matter what song they chose, I'll be ready for them. Don't you worry about a thing."
"So you're going to do it?" Susan asked surprised. She'd never known Hermione to be so bold.
"Not only am I going to do it, I'm going to rock his world in front of her! She wants to play with fire, then bring it on. Ginny won't know what hit her," Hermione replied smugly.
"Is there something we don't know?" Luna asked.
"Oh, you'll see what I mean later on. Ginny and her little gang of tarts have no idea who they're messing with."
"Oh, this is going to be brilliant! Serves her right for trying to hurt you" Luna said gleefully.
"I can't wait! They need to be taken down a peg or two and Hermione is just the girl to do it," Susan added smiling.
0-0
By ten, everyone had arrived. It started out innocently enough with all of them catching up and drinking. Hermione couldn't help but notice how Ginny would look over at her and then whisper something to Cho or Lavender and they would all giggle. Hermione smiled inwardly. Ginny didn't know her at all if she thought she would be able to best her or embarrass her in front of Harry. She wasn't a vengeful person, but no one messed with her either.
A bit later people started signing up and picking out songs. Ginny was one of the first ones there and Lavender and Cho were right behind her. A few minutes later the first person was up on the stage and the singing started.
Hermione decided to sit at the bar and wait it out while she sipped her mojito. Luna and Susan were sitting with Ron and Neville at the table they had chosen. When it was Ginny's turn to sing, Cho and Lavender went up with her. While they were singing `Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' Hermione watched with interest. They weren't bad, but nowhere near great. Perfect, she thought with a delighted smile.
Harry chose that moment to come and sit by her. She smiled at him and he smiled back.
"You look beautiful, `Mione. I've seen more than one guy turn to look at you as you go by. I've been temped to hex a few of the bloody wankers."
"Honestly, Harry! You don't need to get wand happy. I didn't even notice. Besides, there's only one man I want to impress and I guess I accomplished that tonight. That's enough for me."
Harry frowned and his eyes darkened. "You have your eye on someone new already?"
"You say that like it's a bad thing. Actually, I've fancied him for quite some time."
Harry looked around him wondering who the bloke was. It didn't sit well with him that his friend was already interested in someone else. But before he could say anything or ask who it was, Hermione stood up and finished her drink in one slow gulp. Harry watched her and when she was done their eyes locked.
"Let's go sit with the others. The girls should be done any second now."
She took his hand and led him to the table. The entire way he kept looking around shooting daggers at all those brave enough to look at her while he was at her side. Bloody lechers, he thought.
Luna and Susan had made sure to leave them a couple of chairs facing the small stage. Hermione exchanged looks with both of them and winked reassuringly. They hadn't been sitting for long before the tarts were done and came off the stage giggling madly. She noticed Harry frown darkly at their silly behavior.
"Up next is Miss Hermione Granger singing "I Touch Myself" by Blondie," the bloke in charge announced.
There was a collective gasp from her friends and Hermione opened her eyes in surprise. She had expected a bad song, but not such a sexual one! What was Ginny playing at? Luna and Susan were a bit pale, and Hermione smiled at them once again and nodded her head slightly letting them know it would be okay.
Harry looked at her and she could see his surprise reflected her own. "I didn't even know you signed up," he said as she got up.
"She didn't," Ginny interrupted as she came to sit at the chair Hermione had just vacated. "I did it for her since I knew she wouldn't have any fun otherwise. All Hermione seems to think about is books, charms and potions."
"Didn't you even bother to ask? That was rather rude of you," he told her in an annoyed tone.
"Its okay, Harry," Hermione said as she put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed reassuringly. "Nothing to it."
She walked up to the stage and took the mike while they finished setting the machine up for her.
Luna and Susan held hands under the table and prayed to Merlin she'd be able to pull it off. Cho and Lavender sniggered while watching Hermione. Harry was fuming mad. Ginny had a satisfied smile on her face. Ron and Neville were clueless.
Before anyone could say anything, the music started and Hermione smiled at Harry.
"This is for you," she said pointing at him. She winked and he smiled back.
It was do or die time. Hermione started singing.
I love myself; I want you to love me
When I feel down; I want you above me
I search myself; I want you to find me
I forget myself; I want you to remind me
I don't want anybody else
When I think about you I touch myself
Ooh I don't want anybody else Oh no, oh no, oh no
Harry was staring at her mesmerized. Hermione could sing! And not only could she sing, but she was moving around the stage in such a sensual way he couldn't take his eyes off of her. She kept her eyes locked on his as well.
You're the one who makes me come runnin'
You're the sun who makes me shine
When you're around I'm always laughin'
I want to make you mine
Hermione walked off the stage and sauntered over to Harry. She bent down at the waist so their faces were close and ran her finger down his cheek. He was speechless. She was brilliant.
Ginny looked ready to kill. Cho and Lavender weren't sniggering anymore and stared in wonder at Hermione. Luna and Susan were brimming with pride. Ron and Neville looked hypnotized by her. Harry, well, Harry just had a look on his face that was priceless. No one would be surprised if drool suddenly fell from his parted lips.
I close my eyes and see you before me
Think I would die if you were to ignore me
A fool could see just how much I adore you
I'd get down on my knees; I'd do anything for you
Hermione sat on Harry's knee and leaned back against his chest. She took his hand in hers and ran it down the middle of her chest, right between her breasts and down her tight to her knee. Harry was panting a bit. Hermione kept on singing while she left Harry's hand on her knee and moved her hand back up. She ran her hand softly over her breast and into her hair.
I don't want anybody else
When I think about you I touch myself
ahh ohh i don't want anybody else
oh no oh on oh no yeah
There was music for a bit and Hermione got up again. Then she dropped a quick kiss on the corner of Harry's mouth making him blush even more. Ginny bristled. Hermione looked smug as she walked back to the stage.
I love myself; I want you to love me
When I feel down; I want you above me
I search myself; I want you to find me
I forget myself; I want you to remind me
I don't want anybody else
When I think about you I touch myself
ahh ohh i don't want anybody else
oh no oh no oh no
Back on stage she kept singing while her free hand roamed over her own body, making every male in the bar wish it was them caressing her. Her hand skimmed over her breasts, her tights, between her legs and her exposed stomach. She had her eyes closed while she did all of this. Harry's, however, were very open and didn't miss a thing.
I want you
I don't want anybody else
and when i think about you; i touch myself
ooh ooOoh ooOoh aaaaahhhh
I don't want anybody else
When I think about you I touch myself
Ooh I don't want anybody else
When I think about you I touch myself
I touch myself
I touch myself
I touch myself
I touch myself
I touch myself
I touch myself
I honestly do
I touch myself
I touch myself
The song ended and the loud clapping was like sudden thunder. People were whistling like crazy and some were even standing up. Hermione was all smiles as she bowed. She stepped down from the stage and walked over to her friends. Harry was too stunned to do much more than watch her.
As she was coming over to their table, she looked over at Luna and Susan and smiled brilliantly. They were still clapping and shouting with glee. Ron and Neville were doing the same. Cho and Lavender were sulking and Ginny looked on the verge of heart failure. Hermione walked right up to her.
"The next time you try to trick me or humiliate me in front of Harry, think twice. Let today be a lesson to you and your friends. Don't ever mess with me again, Ginevra Weasley. I won't tolerate it," Hermione warned her before she took Harry's hand and led him over to the bar area.
0-0
"Serves you right for acting like an arsehole," Luna said as she went after Hermione closely followed by Ron.
Susan and Neville followed them after they shot Ginny dirty looks. Ginny cursed under her breath and glared at Lavender and Cho.
"Don't look at us that way, Gin. We had no idea Hermione was such a showgirl. Who would have thought the uptight bookworm had it in her?" Lavender said unable to keep the wonder out of her voice.
"I can't believe this. Harry is never going to speak to me after tonight," Ginny whined.
"Well, there's always Malfoy. He's rich, handsome and seems to like you," Cho told her consolingly. "Even if he is a pompous prat, you should give him a chance."
"But I wanted Harry! It's always been Harry. Don't you get it?"
"What we get, Weasley, is that Harry has it bad for Hermione. Get over yourself and pay attention to Draco before he, too, goes for someone else," Lavender told her unceremoniously.
"This night suddenly bites. I'm going home," Cho informed them while getting up. A moment later Lavender and her were gone.
Ginny sat there sulking for a bit while looking over at the bar. Hermione was surrounded by their friends, all looking at her in wonderment, and she felt her jealousy of the witch rise. Harry had his arm around her shoulders and she was leaning against him, her arm around his waist. Unable to stand it any longer, she left.
0-0
After staying at the bar for another hour in which Hermione performed two more songs at the request of the audience, she decided to call it a night. Harry offered to accompany her to her flat and Luna and Susan encouraged this by telling her they were spending the night with their significant others.
Once they reached her flat, she asked if he wanted to come in and he accepted.
"You were brilliant," he told her once they had settled in the kitchen and were drinking tea.
"Thanks," she said blushing a bit.
"What Ginny did was underhanded and it bit her in the arse. I didn't know you could sing so beautifully."
"There are many things you don't know about me, Harry," Hermione told him quietly while their eyes locked once again that night.
Harry covered her hand with his. "I'd like very much to find out. I'm sorry I didn't take the proper time before."
"Its okay, Harry. We've had more important things on our minds for the past few years."
"I know you said you're interested in some other bloke, but would you consider going out with me sometime?" he asked shyly.
"Are you asking me out on a date, Harry James?"
"Yes, I am."
"I thought you were interested in someone else as well."
"I am. I just asked her out," he finally confessed.
Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. "You were talking about me earlier in the office?"
"Yes, I was. I've wanted to ask you out for ages. That's why I didn't take my relationship with Ginny further. I've been waiting for you all this time."
"Oh, Harry! Why didn't you say something before? You're the one I'm interested in as well. I've wanted to go out with you for ages!"
Harry wasted no more time and pulled her into his arms kissing her fiercely. Hermione responded in kind. One kiss led to another and then to another. Harry finally pulled back.
"You don't know how happy that makes me," he said breathlessly.
"Oh, yes I do, Harry. I never thought you'd feel the same way. If I had, I would have asked you out."
"When do you want to go? I'm not doing anything tomorrow." He turned puppy eyes on her and she caressed his face softly.
"I'm free as well and I would love to spend the day with you."
"I guess I won't be mad at Ginny anymore. If anything I'm going to be forever grateful for her karaoke surprise."
"You have a point there," she conceded smiling.
"And the song she chose. Merlin, `Mione, do you realize how many men were lusting after you tonight?"
"I don't care about those men. I did that for you. I sang that song to you. No one else matters to me. Did you enjoy it?"
"Permission to talk freely."
She smiled sexily at him. "Go on, then."
"I wanted to drag you to the nearest bed and have my way with you. Does that answer your question?" he finished huskily.
"Completely. Here's a question for you. I have a perfectly large and comfortable bed down the hallway. Will that one do?"
He swallowed with difficulty. "Right now?"
"Yes, Harry, right now. As in either you get up and take me there, or I will drag your arse there myself." She smiled sweetly at him as she said it.
Harry had been called many names, but slow-witted was not one of them. He smiled brightly at her and stood up. He picked her up and kissed her as he walked down the hall to her bedroom.
"You rocked my world earlier. Now I'm going to do the same to you," he promised as he lay her down on her bed and towered above her.
"Be my guest, darling. Oh, please, be my guest."
Needless to say, they were inseparable from that moment on.
The End.
-->