["Count on Me" by Bruno Mars ]
Oliver's fingers brushed over the guitar strings, the wood familiar under his touch, the weight grounding him. The violin rested nearby, but for now he let it wait. The Great Hall had stilled to absolute silence, every eye locked on him.
He closed his eyes, inhaled, and strummed the first chord. Warm, steady, it rippled out like a lantern glow into the hush.
[Verse 1]Oh-oh-ohIf you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the seaI'll sail the world to find you
The notes of the guitar filled the room, simple and honest. Oliver's voice carried clear, not loud, but certain. The twins leaned forward unconsciously, their laughter from moments ago replaced by something closer to reverence. George whispered, "Bloody hell, he's good," and Fred only nodded.
At the staff table, Perenelle Flamel's lips curved faintly, her eyes softening. Nicholas tilted his head, his gaze narrowing as though studying a rare and precious stone.
If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't seeI'll be the light to guide you
Hagrid blinked rapidly, his eyes already glistening. Fang pressed his snout against the giant's boot, sensing his master's swelling heart.
[Pre-Chorus]We find out what we're made ofWhen we are called to help our friends in need
And then, as the chord lingered, another Oliver stepped out from him, a perfect clone, bow in hand and violin tucked under his chin. A ripple of gasps tore through the Great Hall.
The clone drew the first sweet line of violin melody under Oliver's voice, filling the space with a second current of sound. The blend was seamless, natural, as though the two instruments had always belonged together.
Ravenclaws dropped quills in disbelief, scribbling frantic notes with shaking hands. Nicholas Flamel's brows rose, though he quickly masked his surprise, and Perenelle's hand touched lightly at her collarbone, her composure only just holding.
[Chorus]You can count on me like one, two, three, I'll be thereAnd I know when I need itI can count on you like four, three, two and you'll be there'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh, yeahOoh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-oohYeah, yeah
The guitar strummed steady rhythm, the violin weaving counterpoint around it. Oliver's voice carried between them, warm as hearthfire.
Fred slapped the table in rhythm, grinning wide, George joining in. "Go on, Night!" Fred shouted, his voice thick with laughter and admiration. Their support thundered louder than Malfoy's scowl could dampen.
Harry's throat tightened. He remembered the train ride — the music, the way Oliver had laughed softly, eyes guarded but kind. That's still him, Harry thought fiercely. And I let it slip away because of a House name.
Hermione clapped gently along, chin high, daring anyone to mock her. Ron squirmed, ears red, but he didn't dare sneer.
Daphne Greengrass sat rigid at the Slytherin table, her stomach twisting. She had laughed at Oliver before, gone along with her friends. But now, the music made her throat ache with something sharp and unfamiliar: regret.
[Verse 2]If you're tossin' and you're turnin' and you just can't fall asleepI'll sing a song beside you
The violin soared, clone bowing with surety, while Oliver's guitar kept time, his voice threading between them. Together, they filled the hall with a sound richer than any single player could achieve.
And if you ever forget how much you really mean to meEvery day, I will remind you, oh
A cry echoed above. Heads turned as Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix, burst into the air, golden feathers scattering sparks of light. With a single sweep of wings, he spiraled down around Oliver and his clone, his cry weaving into the song.
Gasps filled the hall. Even the Flamels leaned forward, Nicholas's sharp eyes catching the phoenix's rhythm, Perenelle's smile widening, awe shimmering behind her restraint.
[Pre-Chorus]We find out what we're made ofWhen we are called to help our friends in need
The magic of the hall stirred. Tiny lights shimmered upward from the stone floor, glowing motes drifting like starlight. Butterflies materialized, wings flashing faint blue and gold, floating lazily as though the song itself had summoned them.
Oliver's heart swelled. He could feel it — not just the crowd, but Hogwarts itself, answering him. The unseen presence of the house-elves pressed close, their disillusionment charms hiding them but not their warmth. He could feel their silent joy humming with every note.
[Chorus]You can count on me like one, two, three, I'll be thereAnd I know when I need itI can count on you like four, three, two and you'll be there'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh, yeahOoh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-oohYeah, yeah
Fawkes flashed in fire, vanishing, only to reappear perched on Oliver's shoulder. The hall gasped again as his feathers shimmered bright as sunlight. The phoenix trilled a line of harmony before disappearing in flame once more, dancing in and out of the performance.
Fred and George whooped louder, pounding the table. "That's it, Night!" George shouted. "Make the castle sing!"
Hagrid sniffled noisily, tears rolling down his beard.
Daphne pressed her hands tightly together under the table, nails biting into her palms. She wanted to look away but couldn't. She had chosen wrong, and the music made that truth unbearable.
[Bridge]You'll always have my shoulder when you cryI'll never let go, never say goodbye
The clone circled Oliver, violin soaring against the guitar's steady strum. Together they built a harmony that shook the hall.
McGonagall's lips parted slightly, her stern mask softened. Flitwick all but bounced in his seat, eyes wet with delight. Even Sprout dabbed at her cheeks. Snape remained still, shadow-eyed, but his silence only sharpened the power of the moment.
[Final Chorus]You know you can count on me like one, two, three, I'll be thereAnd I know when I need itI can count on you like four, three, two and you'll be there'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh, yeahOoh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-oohYou can count on me 'cause I can count on you
The violin soared, Oliver's guitar thrummed beneath it, his voice lifting with everything left inside him. Lights swirled overhead, butterflies scattered like petals, Fawkes arced in one final blaze of flame.
The last note hung, sustained by the duet, until the clone dissolved back into Oliver, leaving him alone once more with the guitar warm against his chest.
For a heartbeat, silence.
At the staff table, Nicholas Flamel exhaled softly, his face composed but his eyes blazing with quiet admiration. Perenelle's smile lingered, her gaze fixed on Oliver as though she were memorizing him.
Then Fred and George leapt onto the table, fists in the air, their cheers splitting the hush wide open. The hall erupted after them, the sound rolling like thunder.
And this time, no one held back.