= Wands High =

Chapter 20 - 14 May 1998, Thursday

- That went well! – Jessie cheered and, using both Orianna and James' shoulders, lifted herself up with a jump. – Are you guys hyped!?

- It was just the sound check, calm down – Daynen half-laughed, looking around a bit nervously. It was a weird feeling not having the guitar in his inside pocket. – But I'd say it went okay, yes.

- It was fine – said Orianna and curved her lips in a grimace. – However... now we have a couple of hours to waste. And I do smell food.

- I could use a bite or two myself – James added, his voice distractedly trailing off as usual.

- Super cool idea! Let all four of us go and celebrate this monumental occasion of officially launching the band! Hermione could come too, Daynen.

- Thanks, Jess – he said, trying to smile. – But I think I am not much of a festive spirit before a show.

- Or ever – Orianna quickly added.

- Furthermore... - stressed Daynen ignoring the girl. – Don't get into trouble you two, don't go off eating some mysterious food either, it is just a few hours before we have to get up there.

- Oh, come on, you grumpy partypooper! It happened once, and that hoebag was asking for it.

- I'll make sure they stay out of trouble – Padavona said – words that produced loud laughter from the two girls.

- As if you can stop us! – both of them yelled almost at the same time.

Throwing the short boy a concerned look, Daynen could only sigh as Orianna and Jessie quickly merged with the crowd, James following soon after, hands in his pockets and an expression of resignation on his face.

Again completely alone, his thoughts went back to what the drummer had previously said. Indeed Hermione had been missing for a while, and although Daynen wanted to go look for her, he decided to try and resist the urge, as she probably had a good reason for her absence. He wanted to learn how to trust her completely, to him it seemed like the right thing to do – a detail he'd never really cared for up till now.

So he had to find a way to unwind by himself then.

All around there were plenty of people chatting, getting ready for the show, talking about the bands and their respective expectations. A pair of students were actually taking bets on who was going to win – not for money of course, but for amounts of candy.

Another group of students seemed to notice Daynen, one of them – a girl in her 5th year or so, waved at him and yelled something, wishing him good luck.

It was all making his head spin, he discovered.

- I still can't imagine this is now an actual thing.

Phaedros' sudden presence startled him. He couldn't really comprehend how a disabled person could actually move as swiftly at times.

- Tradition, I believe is the right word. Wow, I wouldn't have believed it back then even if someone had told me, this must be the only wizarding school in the world to allow such a ridiculous practice.

- Your support means a lot to us all, professor – uttered Daynen, feeling a bit brave, plus still annoyed that he had given him the scare.

The man shot him a quick look, but continued:

- Clever. But it doesn't mean a thing to you does it Mr. Tiberius? The crowd, the noise, the fans even? Those pair of girls are just about to melt from shame as they are trying to figure out a way to approach you for an autograph. And I bet you aren't even noticing them. How many girls have you managed to lure into bed since you started all this? Wow, how I wish I was a rockstar myself!