Fic: Music Of The Night Title: Music Of The Night Author:unbroken_halo Pairing: Snarry, Damon/Grant, Davy/Gregory, Max/Allie, Richard/Jason Rating: PG Word Count: 4,087 Summary: Harry and Severus spend some time with their friends in Echo. Disclaimer: Harry Potter and company belong to JKR Rowling. This piece of fiction was written for entertainment purposes only and makes no monetary gain for the author. Highlight for Warnings: *Mpreg, fluff, music fic* AN: Originally written for accioslash and her comm Accio Is Love. Falls within the current time frame of Hols around Ch 135: Love, Loss, Hope, Repeat.
Music Of The Night
Harry eased himself into the chair at a table close to the stage while Severus, Max and Allie set up the instruments for the night's set. He couldn't quite believe Severus had agreed to sing at the bar that night when Grant called to ask. Grant had apologized to Harry for interrupting their evening, but the band they'd scheduled had cancelled at the last minute and they needed someone to fill the spot immediately.
He'd been trying all day to replace them, and keep Damon in the bed still, so Severus was his last hope. Severus had only smiled wistfully as Harry explained Grant's problem to him then nodded his acquiescence.
Harry smiled as he watched his long, tall husband slide the guitar strap around his back then nod at Max as he began to tune the instrument up. Allie began a steady beat on the drums as Max strapped on a big bass guitar, adding the slow thrum–thrum of the deep notes to hers.
Severus straightened up, grinning like a mad man and strummed his way into their bass line. They played together for a few minutes, the tempo fast and upbeat, and Harry found himself tapping his foot and nodding his head along with the music.
He grinned at them then looked around the rapidly filling bar and spied Jason and Richard coming through the door with Gregory and Davy. He raised his arm and waved them over, manoeuvring himself up out of the chair so they could find him in the crowd.
The four men joined Harry at the table and Karen immediately sauntered over to bring Harry a soda and to take the newcomers' orders. As soon as she walked away, Davy grabbed Gregory's hand and dragged him out to the dance floor.
Harry laughed as he watched the two twine sensually around each other as if no one else was in the room with them, completely in time with the music. Gregory leaned in and pressed his mouth to Davy's, pulling him even closer.
Jason groaned and shook his head. "Merlin, they've been like that since Sunday. It's enough to make a person go into a diabetic comma."
Harry laughed again and nodded as he watched Davy slid his hands down Gregory's back and into the pockets of his jeans. "At least you all aren't fighting anymore."
Jason scowled and Richard reached across the table to take Jason's hand. "Don't start it tonight. I'm tired of hearing it."
Jason stuck his tongue out at Richard. "Hey, it wasn't your life they dug into!"
Richard arched an eyebrow. "I'm kinda glad they did because now at least you are getting better medical care."
Jason flushed. "Fine…I suppose you are right."
Harry eyed them as Richard stood and leaned across the table, pressing a kiss to Jason's mouth.
The music ended and Harry turned to focus on the stage, clapping as Max stepped up to the microphone.
"Thank you! We are Whisper to a Scream and welcome to Cutty's!"
Davy and Gregory joined them at the table again as Karen returned with their drinks. Richard paid her and turned to the stage as Severus and Max both drew their wands and aimed them at stage left.
Instantly, several other musical instruments appeared. A piano, violin, trumpet, bagpipes and a few others as well as two small harmonicas materialized around both Severus's and Max's necks.
Max grinned and nodded. "We have a wide range of selections for your enjoyment tonight, so get up and dance, sing along, and have a good time and don't forget to tip your server!"
He stepped back from the mic and nodded at Allie. She launched into a rousing beat, with Severus joining her, and Harry grinned at them, once again tapping his foot to the music.
Max strummed his bass then stepped forward again, opening his mouth to belt out these lyrics in a surprisingly deep yet accurately close rendition to the original voice of Bob Dylan.
"I was riding on the Mayflower, when I thought I spied some land. I yelled for Captain Arab I have yeh understand…"
Harry and Jason stared at him as Richard burst out laughing. They looked over at him and he shook his head. "Just listen, it's a little silly and fun. It's classic Dylan."
They nodded in slow motion and turned back to the stage, listening to Max sing. Jason tugged on Harry's sleeve and pointed to the side of the stage. Harry turned, his jaw dropping as he spied Karen and Grant, each one of them had a tambourine and was tapping it against their hips, singing along and rocking to the music. When Max, and then Severus both blew little solos on the harmonicas strapped around their necks, Harry wasn't so certain Max was the only one on that strange trip to the New World. The song ended and Harry clapped, still a little stunned to realize that Max knew such an odd song.
There wasn't much of a pause and the band launched into another upbeat musical number. Davy dragged Gregory back out onto the floor as this time the violin and bagpipes joined the musicians. The instruments lifted up and began to play by themselves, floating over to the stage and insinuating themselves into the band.
Harry clapped along with the beat of the music, smiling at Severus when his husband looked out at him and grinned. Severus winked, and flinging his long hair over his shoulder, picked up the tempo of the song.
The dancers yelled out and stomped louder on the hardwood floor, moving faster in time with the music. Jason and Harry laughed as they watched several patrons tumble into one another. They kept going, however, and Harry wished he knew the dance so he could join them as it looked quite fun.
Everyone in the bar yelled and clapped once the song was over and Harry had a hard time seeing his husband through the crowd as new music floated out to them and more coupled dancers took to the floor.
Harry swayed in his seat, rocking to the beat and running his hand over his stomach as Reganne rolled in his belly. He cut his eyes over at Jason and Rich watching as both men bent over Jason's abdomen, each with a hand on the large swell and a grin on their faces. Harry ran a hand over his own 'dancing daughter' and shook his head.
The thrumming rhythm had set the babies to moving and Harry wondered if he should move a bit further back from the stage. He looked up at his husband and smiled as he watched Max and Severus move closer together, lean against one another and continue to play the guitars and sing as the magically enhanced instruments danced on the air around them.
Feeling a hand on his arm, Harry looked up and grinned even wider to find Grant sliding into a seat beside him. "Having fun?" He glanced up at the stage then back at Harry.
Harry nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, they're wonderful! I had no idea Severus could play like this." He looked back up at the stage then turn to Grant once more. "I mean he's sung to Reganne a few times when she wouldn't settle down, but I never imagined something this elaborate."
Grant chuckled and nodded. "I happen to think they are showing off because Damon's not here to tell them to rein it in." He patted Harry's shoulder again and stood. "I just wanted to check on you and make certain you were well. I told Severus I would."
Harry laughed and patted his stomach. "We're fine. Reganne's dancing and I may need the loo soon but I'm having fun."
Grant smiled and squeezed his shoulder then eyed Richard and Jason for a moment before weaving his way into the crowd and back toward the bar.
Harry turned to the stage then applauded as the song ended and the lights in the bar dimmed. The music changed tempo and became softer. A rolling cymbal crash melded into a lone, light flute melody. Again, Harry looked up to the stage and was shocked to see Severus playing the wind instrument.
A soft breathy woman's voice floated out over the bar and Harry was even more surprised to see Allie illuminated behind the drum set by a lone spot light. She wore a microphone headset and had her eyes closed as she sang, her drumsticks resting across the cymbals. Several stringed instruments rose up and began to play intensely as Harry turned his head, watching Jason and Richard scoot back their chairs and move to the dance floor.
Richard took Jason in his arms as Severus made the flute sing, scaling up and down the notes and Richard glided Jason easily across the floor into a waltz. Richard stared down at Jason, holding him close to his body as possible with the large bulk of Jason's tummy between them. Jason gazed up as Richard a slight flush on his face that Harry could see clearly when they passed through one of the few remaining lights that illuminated the sawdust covered floor. Jason turned and laid his head awkwardly on Richard's chest, closing his eyes as he clung to the taller man.
Harry looked away, feeling embarrassed at having intruded on what seemed like an intimate thing even if it was out in the open. He looked back up at Severus and received a smile from his husband before Severus brought the flute to his lips once more and started playing again.
Allie's voice grew louder, the breathy quality still there though and seemed to weave a spell over the crowd as horns joined the song. The people appeared to rise up off the floor, dancing on the air.
We're surfing in the air. We're swimming in the frozen sky. We're drifting over icy mountains floating by.
Suddenly swooping low, on an ocean deep. Rising up a mighty monster from his sleep.
Harry could almost see it as well; like he was soaring on his broomstick over the Black Lake next to Hogwarts and the Giant squid had slipped a tentacle out, breaking the smooth surface of the water. He shook his head, knowing it had to be an illusion.
Then the song was over, the couples were on the floor once again, clapping, and Allie was beaming. The pause was short as the lights righted themselves and then the music came again, the fast rata-tat-tat of the drums striking up another dance song. Harry watched then laughed out loud as Richard stepped back and took Jason's hand, carefully turning the waltz into a two step.
Jason shook his head and then glared at Gregory and Davy as they stepped up beside them.
Harry gazed up at the stage, tapping his foot in time to the music then jumping suddenly as someone slid a basket of fries and chicken tenders onto the table then settled into the seat next to him. He turned, "Damon!"
Damon grinned at Harry and reached out plucking some of the fries from the basket and shoved them in his mouth. "Hey, Bit, how's it going?"
Harry swiped a chicken finger, waving the hot fried food around to cool it for a moment. "Brill! They are wonderful, aren't they? What are you doing out of bed? Grant said you weren't going to be able to make it tonight."
Damon made a face as he finished chewing then picked up a bottle of beer, drinking a long swallow before answering. "What Grant don't know, ain't going to hurt Grant." He eyed Harry. "You think I was going to stay in bed after Montgomery told me I could get up in a week?"
Harry chuckled and shook his head as he bit into the chicken. "Mmm, good stuff. Needs hotcake syrup though."
Damon grimaced and patted Harry's shoulder. "Ugh, damn, Harry. Alright then, I'll get you some. You wait right here and I'll be back after I check out what all's going on in the kitchen." He eyed Harry's stomach then asked. "Can I?"
Harry nodded. "Go ahead. She's been moving around all night, so you've a good chance to feel her."
Damon took a deep breath, pursed his lips together and warmed his hands then gently pressed one hand to Harry's belly.
Harry felt the heat of Damon's hand through his robe and frowned as Reganne stilled her movements. He looked at his father-in-law and shook his head. "Oh, Damon, sir. I'm… I'm sorry," he murmured softly.
Damon shook his head and rubbed Harry's belly then moved his hand away. "It's all right, Harry. I know she's a stubborn little, just like her Da."
Harry's tummy rolled and a small imprint of a hand bulged out for just a moment against the light blue of Harry's robes as if in protest of Damon's words. Harry grunted, sucking in a breath and pressing his palm against it, moving Reganne around, out of his lungs. "Oh, now you show your displeasure, eh?"
Damon chuckled and stood, running his hand along the back of Harry's chair as he weaved his way through the crowd and ducked into the kitchen.
Harry continued to nibble on the piece of chicken then reached for some fries, drawing a line of catsup then a line of barbeque sauce on each potato before putting it in his mouth. He watched the dancers, swaying in his seat and rocking along to the music as he waited for Damon to return.
He wiped his hands on a napkin then applauded as Severus and Max each stepped up to a mic, swung the guitars behind them then grinned at each other. They brought their hands together and began clapping out a rhythm to which Allie added in on a small set of drums Harry didn't recognize.
Severus's voice joined with Max's, magnified through the sound system, and sang out.
" Oh, there're sober men and plenty, and drunkards barely twenty. There are men of over ninety that have never yet kissed a girl.
But give me a ramblin' rover, Frae Orkney down to Dover. We will roam the county over and together we'll face the world."
Harry laughed and joined in the clapping as the crowd cheered, stomping on the hard wood floors, elevating the noise in the bar to deafening levels.
The verses continued, each growing a little more tawdry, and by the last one Harry was singing the chorus loudly with the rest of the crowd. He whistled and laughed when the song ended.
Then the bar went completely silent and the crowd parted, so that Harry had a clear view of the stage. Damon stood next to the charmed instruments, hands on his hips and shaking head.
Max and Severus stared down at him, eyes wide, and then they glanced at one another.
"You boys enjoying yourselves?"
Severus swallowed, "Yes, Damon," he said softly and it still carried over the entire floor, even though he used no microphone.
Damon nodded and turned out to the crowd, lips pursed as he looked over the assembled people. "You folks enjoying the show?"
The crowd broke out into screams and applause and Damon held up his hands. They fell silent as he waved at them. Walking over to the upright piano, he sat down on the bench and ran his hands over the keyboard in a glissando. The magical glow vanished from the piano as he turned back to the stage and grinned at Max and Severus. "Then what the hell are you waiting on? Let's have some music!"
Max and Severus hung their heads, in relief, and the crowd roared again as Damon began to bang out a ragtime tune on the ivories. Ali joined him providing a beat to the piano's song. Damon's fingers danced along the keys of the keyboard and people clapped along as the song rocked out from the instrument.
Harry stared at his father-in-law as he continued to play; the notes rolling out from the piano then came to an abrupt halt as the song ended and Damon drew his hands away from the keyboard.
There was silence for a second then Grant's voice rang out.
"Damon Nolan Wolffe!"
Damon cringed and the laughter was deafening. Harry saw Grant running out of the office toward the stage and the crowd parted for him. Damon stood and looked up at Severus.
"Help me out, boys!"
Max grinned and nodded. "You got it, Damon." He pointed at Allie and she smirked.
Slamming the cymbals with a stick, she started off a swinging beat. The saxophone lifted up and joined in as Damon headed for Grant, a smile on his face.
"Oh, no, Damon! Don't you dare!" Grant shouted and stopped.
"Come here, Injun!"
Max and Severus laughed and leaned into the mics as a trumpet blasted out its swinging sound. "Go!"
Damon grabbed Grant and swirled him around on the floor, gripped his hands and flung him out again, taking them into 'The Jitterbug.'
"Damon!"
"Grant!"
Damon pulled Grant back to him, pressed a kiss to his mouth then sent him back out again as Harry watched. The dance reminded him of the picture he'd seen of Damon and 'Gracie' in the photo album several months back and he laughed as he watched them. Grant finally relaxed and his braid swung out, snapping as Damon sent him back and forth out of his arms and into the dance's jerky steps.
And dance they did. Round and round in a circle, feet twisting side to side, hands joined and one arm flung up into the air, fingers snapping to the beat.
"Go, Daddy-O!" Max and Severus shouted.
Harry gasped as Damon then gripped Grant's waist and tossed him up into the air.
"Go, Daddy-O!"
The trumpet and sax blasted out the rhythm as Grant spun in the air then came back down and Damon caught him. Swinging Grant around in his arms for a moment, Damon slid him in between his legs and tossed him to his feet on the other side. He spun and made a 'come-hither' motion to Grant.
Grant slinked across the floor, rocking and wriggling to the beat of the swing music. Damon tossed his head back and laughed, holding his hands out and bucking his hips, hopping along and meeting Grant halfway. The crowd clapped as Grant grabbed Damon's hands and swung him around; their other hands once again back in the air, waving to the music.
"Go Daddy-O!"
The entire crowd shouted this one last time as the music ended and Damon wrapped his arms around Grant and planted his mouth on the smaller man's.
Richard and Jason sat down next to Harry as he clapped for Damon and Grant. "Did you see them?"
Jason nodded, eyes wide, as he continued to stare at the couple as they parted. He turned to Richard. "I think I'd have to hurt you if you tossed me around like that."
Richard laughed. "Mister Wolffe needs to be beat for getting up and doing something like that so soon after surgery. However, I will say this for them; I want to be that vibrant when I am their age."
Harry nodded as he looked up at the stage at Severus. The man was adjusting his guitar strap and helping Max move microphones around. He handed one down to Damon.
"We'd like to thank everyone for coming out to Cutty's tonight. We hope you've enjoyed Whisper to a Scream." He glanced up at Max and Severus. "Even if they are a bunch of show-offs."
The bar patrons roared and clapped while Max and Severus both shot Damon a two-fingered salute.
"You all know what time it is, so we'll have one more song out of these yahoos, and this is your Last Call for the night. Once again, thank you for coming out tonight."
Damon passed the mic back to Severus, and walked away from the stage his arm thrown over Grant's shoulder.
Davy and Gregory joined them at the table, both looking hot and sweating from all the dancing. They grabbed their drinks and collapsed down into chairs, turning to stare up at the stage.
Damon and Grant stopped by the table. "After Severus is finished, stick around, please. I want to discuss the upcoming holidays with all of you." Grant smiled at them then leaned against Damon once again. Damon nodded at all of them and led Grant away.
Harry nodded and settled back in his chair, waiting on the patrons to settle so he could watch the show's finale.
The lights in the bar went out completely and the patrons cheered loudly for a few minutes as a spotlight came up on Severus. He smirked and stepped up to the microphone, his guitar slung around his back.
Severus swung the guitar around and strummed a slow, light melody then leaned forward. A lone fiddle joined him about half way through the mournful lyrics.
"Here's to you. I sing for my Daddy-o. As I lay him down to sleep. It's been so long. Since I lost my Daddy-o. Hope he's watching over me."
Harry smiled at him as he heard just a twinge of the accent that Severus worked so hard to hide in his whiskey smooth voice.
The bar went dark again and the noise was even louder this time as Severus softly counted out the beat. The music started up once again, this time faster. The drums joined in and the lights rose, Severus leaned in to the mic and grinned devilishly as he began to sing.
An accordion rose up and floated to the stage, joining into the music. The jig that Severus sang was infectious and caused many of the patrons to shout and sing along. Harry had a hard time understanding some of the words but leaned closer, eyes widening as he watched his husband stalk across the stage performing for the crowd.
Severus's mouth continued to form the words and Harry was almost certain he was speaking a foreign language as his accent began to get thicker. The Irish brogue came through loud and clear as the music softened suddenly and Severus leaned close to the crowd.
"There must be more to life, than this poxy life. All the aggro, all the pain. So he disappeared into his final beer, but the glass was empty once again. Again. AGAIN!"
Harry blinked and chuckled as Severus threw his head back, slinging his hair over his shoulder and shouting out the words to the song. Max and Allie sang along with him, rushing the song on to its conclusion. The patrons joined in on the chorus adding to the noise level.
"And we'll NEVER see the likes of you again!"
A cymbal crush and resounding chord ended the song and the lights went dark once more. The bar patrons cheered and clapped as the lights slowly came up on Max, Allie, and Severus standing on the edge of the stage.
The three of them took a bow and then pointed to Damon and Grant behind the bar. The spotlight followed and highlighted the older couple. Harry joined in and whistled loudly. The crowd roared even louder as Grant stepped behind Damon and Damon shook his head and waved at them.
"Thank you and goodnight, everyone! Please stop by the bar for ferry service home if you've had a bit too much fun tonight. Sheriff Townshend will make arrangements with Barrett's towing for you as we all really would like to see you once again. Drive safe."
The spotlight moved over to the Sheriff sitting at the corner of the bar and he raised a hand. The crowd tittered and Severus chuckled as he tucked his mic back onto the stand.
Max and Severus jumped down off the stage and made their way to the doors, opening both of them wide. Cool night air flowed inside the building as people began flooding out or heading towards the bar.
Harry watched Severus and Max receive slaps on the backs and handshakes as the townspeople left the bar. He smiled as he sat waiting for Damon and Grant to join the table. His new family surrounded him, continuing to surprise him and making him feel welcome; his new life was full. He couldn't be happier that they had taken that trip to America.