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Chapter 60 – The Hogwarts Halloween Concert
Some things were destined to follow the guidance of fate. No matter how fiercely a butterfly flapped its wings, certain events would still unfold exactly as they were meant to.
For instance—at this very moment, Hermione Granger was so furious with Ron Weasley that she had locked herself in the girls' bathroom, precisely as she had in the original timeline. One could only marvel at the stubborn corrective power of the plot itself.
Naturally, none of this concerned Audrey.
She was currently in the Great Hall, making final adjustments with the band before their performance.
Granda Chitock sat quietly off to one side, watching Audrey with a faint, knowing smile.
Today was a special day.
She had invited the famous witch singer Celestina Warbeck, along with many outstanding young performers—but the true headline act tonight was Audrey Astray.
Granda had a strong feeling that Audrey's singing, once recorded with magical equipment, would be hundreds of times better than any of her recordings from the Muggle world.
If these three songs were broadcast on Wizarding Wireless tonight, the station would be flooded with gratitude, praise, and excitement.
The Halloween feast was scheduled for six o'clock, yet it wasn't even five—and the Great Hall was already packed with students.
Because today, at five sharp, there would be a Halloween concert.
And Audrey Astray would be performing three songs.
Pumpkin lanterns and floating candles drifted through the air. A massive pumpkin carriage stood proudly at the centre of the hall, while the enchanted ceiling automatically adjusted itself to a Halloween theme, creating a rich, festive atmosphere.
Ghosts glided about freely, volunteering enthusiastically as part of the ambience team—after all, Halloween was their holiday.
That said, the resentful glances they occasionally shot at Audrey betrayed their true feelings.
"Bloody Baron," Nearly Headless Nick suggested in a hopeful tone, "why don't you go and ask Audrey nicely? Just one puff—just one! It's Halloween, after all. Think of it as her way of celebrating with us."
The Bloody Baron shot him an icy glare and said nothing.
The Fat Friar floated forward eagerly. "Baron, why don't you go and ask her?"
The Bloody Baron snapped back, "Why don't you go?"
The Fat Friar grinned ingratiatingly. "Because she's from your House!"
The blood-soaked ghost turned away, clearly uninterested.
At that moment, the Grey Lady floated over and spoke a single word.
"Go."
"…Alright."
The Bloody Baron immediately brightened and flew off to find Audrey.
A short while later, he returned, positively beaming. "Helena! Audrey agreed! She'll give us ten minutes during the feast—but on one condition. We are not to touch her food."
The ghosts erupted in delight.
The Grey Lady rolled her eyes. "Don't call me that. You don't deserve to."
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Harry and Ron entered the Great Hall, where students from all four Houses were already seated at their long tables.
"Blimey, Harry," Ron said, pointing at the enormous pumpkin carriage in the centre of the hall. "Isn't that the giant pumpkin Hagrid grew?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah—but Audrey used magic to shape it."
"Of course I remember!" Ron said excitedly. "Look! Harry—that's Celestina Warbeck! Mum's favourite singer!"
He added quickly, "Though obviously Audrey's her absolute favourite now. No contest! But Celestina's a Gryffindor graduate!"
"Judging by her looks," Harry said thoughtfully, "she must be about forty?"
Ron laughed. "She's seventy-four this year."
Harry stared in disbelief before sitting down beside him at the Gryffindor table.
"Where's Hermione?" Harry asked.
Ron curled his lip. "Who cares about her?"
Harry sighed. "She's so angry she won't even come to hear Audrey sing. Ron, you were a bit much earlier."
"Alright, alright," Ron muttered. "I'll apologise later."
"Harry, look!"
"That's Granda Chitock—the host of Magic Time!"
The staff tables had been moved aside, revealing a vast stage. Granda Chitock stood at its centre, dressed in Slytherin robes, radiating confidence.
"Let us begin," she announced, "by welcoming the legendary singer Celestina Warbeck, performing her signature piece—'You Stole My Pot, But You'll Never Have My Heart!'"
Thunderous applause erupted, with Professor Flitwick clapping the hardest of all—clearly the enthusiasm of a fan who had waited forty years for this moment.
The stage design and lighting had been personally overseen by Audrey. Compared to her world tour experience, Hogwarts' usual arrangements were child's play.
Celestina Warbeck flinched briefly at the sudden brightness, but her experience showed. She steadied herself and sang with elegance and warmth, her voice rich with storytelling.
Two songs later, she had completely won over the entire hall.
Next came Myron Wagtail and his band—future legends known as the Weird Sisters.
Yes. Eight men.
Their performance was electrifying, and the students loved it—but they held back their cheers.
Everyone knew the real climax was yet to come.
Then, at last, it was Audrey's turn.
The lights across the hall went out.
The music began—soft, clear, and haunting.
> "Look closely at the reflection shimmering upon the water—
Another version of myself stares back."
A spotlight fell, illuminating Audrey alone as the band began to play.
> "The truest part of me,
Hidden beneath polite smiles and borrowed masks…"
Ron whispered, "Harry… doesn't she look like a princess?"
On stage, Audrey wore a flowing white dress, her hair loose over her shoulders, a crystal headband glimmering softly.
"No," Harry said quietly, entranced. "She looks like an angel."
The song Myself captivated the entire hall.
Granda smiled. She had been right.
Audrey's live performance surpassed any Muggle recording by magnitudes. The magic in her voice was overwhelming—even sirens would pale in comparison.
Next came Big Fish.
The Weasley twins immediately decided it was about magical creatures and time magic.
Granda agreed wholeheartedly—and had insisted Audrey include it.
After the final note faded, even Snape found himself lost in the music.
Applause erupted once more.
Celestina Warbeck nodded thoughtfully. The younger generation had surpassed the old—perhaps it was finally time to retire.
Audrey stepped forward. "The final song tonight is dedicated to everyone at Hogwarts."
Sold Out.
With the Weird Sisters backing her, Audrey's magic flared. A phoenix silhouette rose behind her, and the hall ignited with energy.
> "I am unlike anyone you've ever known—
I run forward, never looking back!"
The audience rose as one.
> "I follow Merlin without hesitation—
This is my calling!"
Harry waved his arms wildly, feeling strength pour into him.
Ron stood frozen, mouth agape.
Draco shouted, "That's my cousin! Did you see her?! That's my cousin!"
No one heard him.
Iselin stood tall, resolve burning within her.
> "I'm all in—
Every step, every drop of blood!"
The final note rang out.
The Great Hall exploded with cheers.
Dumbledore smiled quietly, stroking his beard.
Such a contrast, he thought.
Is this what she truly wants?
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The concert ended. The feast began.
Audrey kept her promise and allowed the ghosts to gather around her.
No one was particularly hungry.
The students' minds were still filled with music.
Then—
BANG!
The doors burst open.
Professor Quirinus Quirrell stumbled in, turban askew, face pale with terror.
"T-Troll!" he gasped.
"Troll—in the dungeons—"
And then he collapsed.
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