Chapter 26: The Gig - Part 1
The school was back in full swing. Between classes, study groups and band practice, we were all getting exhausted. The week started out fine, with potions theory, transfiguration, and herbology. Study group, we went over homework and band practice. We went over the set list that Grant and Tim decided on. 5 songs in total; we were not comfortable playing a lot of songs, but these 5 we worked on. Tuesday charms, Dada, history of magic. In the study group, we worked on the last of the spells in the standard book of spells grade 1. Band practice: we practised the songs and pointed out our own and others' mistakes. Wednesday potion practical I partnered with Harry, to take some heat off him, Dada then at night astronomy, so we had to miss band practice. Thursday, herbology, transfiguration and charms, then study group, we discussed revision plans. Our plan was to ask our teacher what we would do next and revise before the next class. During band practice, we worked out the kinks of the songs.
Friday, we had a history of magic in the morning and the afternoon off. We decided to have a jam session to cool off and goof around. That night at dinner, I asked Cedric if he could do us a favour. He said yes and to meet him in the entrance hall in the morning.
On Saturday gig day, my friends and I were waiting in the entrance hall for Cedric. He came strolling in with a swagger. "So what's the favour, Eddie?" He asked.
"You know the shrinking and growth charms, correct?" I asked him.
"Yeah, we learned it last year," Cedric said; he was a 3rd year.
"Cool, um, we need to move some stuff, and we need your help with the spells," I explained.
"Okay lead on" he smiled.
"Yeah what were about to show you.. um just don't go spreading it around." I said. He looked concerned but nodded.
We led him to the seventh floor. "Now remember, don't go spreading it around." I opened the room of requirements music room. Cedric was in awe as the door just materialised out of the wall. When we walked in, he smiled. "So it's a music room?"
"Yes and no," Grant said.
"It's called the room of requirements", Tim explained "It shows up with whatever you require at the time."
"So the room transfigures itself to the opener's needs." He asked.
"Yup sort of, it has some preset things or rooms it uses over and over again. For example, the room of hidden things," I said. "I think that's most common; a scared student trying to hide something finds a room with mountains of things and just dumps whatever they are trying to hide there."
"So, how do you open it.?" Cedric asked.
"Well you walk aback and forth 3 times thinking of what you require" I explained.
"That's it?" Cedric asked.
"Yup, that's it. Rowena Ravenclaw wanted students to find it even by accident, so it's that easy," I said, "or at least that's my theory."
"So what are we moving," Cedric asked after thinking about the room.
"The piano and drumb kit" I said pointing them out.
"Why?" He asked.
"Didn't you hear about the gig we're playing today?" I said, "In the courtyard by the entrance hall.
"Nope," he said and cast a spell on the piano. It shrunk to the size of a coffee table.
Grant picked it up.
The drums were next. They were smaller, so once shrunk, they fit in my satchel.
I also grabbed the mic stand, and we headed down to the entrance courtyard.
Down in the court yard, there were about 20 ish students mingling about, with the help of Cedric we set up in the corner to not block any traffic. I gathered my friends and whispered, "You guys ready, feeling good." I asked them.
"I'm okay. I've played in front of crowds before," Grant said.
"I'll be fine once we start playing," Tim said.
"Okay then, let's get ready," I said.
I cast the electric tune spell on my guitar. Playing few cords to make sure it was working, it will last about an hour. Then, I turned my wand into a mic with a modified sonorous charm. Placing it into the stand. I nodded to my band.
"Hello, hogwarts students" I smiled as my voice carried across the courtyard, "I'm eddie behind me on piano is Grant, and on drums is Tim. Where going to play few songs for you lot." I looked at Tim.
"1 - 2 - 3 - 4" he called out.
We started off with •Since you been gone by Rainbow•
The sound of my guitar played through the courtyard, and then the others joined. We harmonised the first lines.
♫oh-whoa, oh-ho-oh, whoa-oh-oh♫
Then I sang with my part.
♫I get the same old dreams same time every night
Fall to the ground and I wake up
So I get out of bed, put on my shoes and in my head
Thoughts fly back to the breakup♫
I saw people gathering. i decided not to focus on the crowd and just play.
♫These four wall are closing in
Look at the fix you put me in♫
I smiled and flicked the hair out of my eyes. we sounded good to me.
♫Since you been gone
Since you been gone
I'm out of my head can't take it
Could I be wrong
But since you been gone
You cast your spell so break it♫
♫Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh,♫ My bandmates sang with me.
♫Since you been gone♫
As we finished that song and people clapped, I smiled.
"This next one is from a British legend' it's something to dance to, so I wanna see dancing." I smiled. "Take it away, Grant."
Grant smiled as he started to play •Crocodile Rock by Elton John•.
There wasn't a lot of guitar in the song, so I danced with the stand and sang.
♫I remember when rock was young
Me and Suzie had so much fun
Holding hands and skimming stones
Had an old gold Chevy and a place of my own
But the biggest kick I ever got
Was doing a thing called the Crocodile Rock
While the other kids were Rocking Round the Clock
We were hopping and bopping to the Crocodile Rock♫
I jumped in with my guitar and continue to dance, the crowd started to shift and shimmy.
♫Well Crocodile Rocking is something shocking
When your feet just can't keep still
I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will
Oh Lawdy mama those Friday nights
When Suzie wore her dresses tight
And the Crocodile Rocking was out of sight♫
I grabbed the stand and sang in a high voice.
♫La lalalala la lalalala la lalalala la♫
smiling I continued to sing
♫But the years went by and the rock just died
Suzie went and left us for some foreign guy
Long nights crying by the record machine
Dreaming of my Chevy and my old blue jeans
But they'll never kill the thrills we've got
Burning up to the Crocodile Rock
Learning fast as the weeks went past
We really thought the Crocodile Rock would last♫
back on the guitar.
♫Well Crocodile Rocking is something shocking
When your feet just can't keep still
I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will
Oh Lawdy mama those Friday nights
When Suzie wore her dresses tight
And the Crocodile Rocking was out of sight♫
"everybody" I called out
♫La lalalala la lalalala la lalalala la♫ me and the crowd sang.
♫I remember when rock was young
Me and Suzie had so much fun
Holding hands and skimming stones
Had an old gold Chevy and a place of my own
But the biggest kick I ever got
Was doing a thing called the Crocodile Rock
While the other kids were Rocking Round the Clock
We were hopping and bopping to the Crocodile Rock♫
♫Well Crocodile Rocking is something shocking
When your feet just can't keep still
I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will
Oh Lawdy mama those Friday nights
When Suzie wore her dresses tight
And the Crocodile Rocking was out of sight♫
♫La lalalala la lalalala la lalalala la
La lalalala la lalalala la lalalala la
La lalalala la lalalala la lalalala la♫ the crowd sang and laughed at the end of the song.