The Twin Who Lived: Secrets of the Serpent - Day-O in the Great Hall

The Great Hall glowed with warm candlelight as evening settled over Hogwarts.

Thousands of floating candles drifted beneath the enchanted ceiling, their golden reflections dancing across polished goblets and silver serving platters. The sky above the enchanted ceiling showed deep violet twilight, with the first stars beginning to emerge against the fading sunset. Students filled the four house tables with the usual noise of dinner conversations, laughter, and clattering cutlery. Rumors about the Chamber of Secrets still lingered throughout the castle, but for the moment, the atmosphere felt lighter than it had in weeks. Even the professors appeared slightly more relaxed. Dumbledore conversed quietly with Flitwick. McGonagall was reviewing something on a parchment scroll. Snape looked as perpetually unimpressed as ever. Lockhart, meanwhile, was happily telling a group of second-year Hufflepuffs about a supposed encounter with three vampire lords, two banshees, and an exceptionally aggressive garden gnome.

That alone was enough motivation for trouble.

Mira sat beside Draco at the Slytherin table.

Across from them, Pip the Niffler was attempting to sneak pieces of roast potato into his pouch while pretending nobody noticed.

Everyone noticed.

Nobody stopped him.

Draco leaned slightly closer, "Ready?"

His voice was barely above a whisper.

Mira smiled.

A dangerous sign.

Nearby, Fred and George Weasley sat unusually still.

That was an even more dangerous sign.

The twins exchanged identical grins.

The plan was ready.

The victim remained blissfully unaware.

Lockhart stood from his chair.

He had decided to address the Hall.

Nobody had asked him to.

Nobody had encouraged him.

But that had never stopped Gilderoy Lockhart before.

The professor straightened his robes dramatically.

Cleared his throat.

Then raised one hand.

Several students immediately groaned.

Others simply prepared themselves mentally.

Experience suggested that whatever happened next would be ridiculous.

Lockhart smiled brightly.

"My dear students—"

Then he froze.

His eyes widened.

And in a deep, rich voice that sounded unmistakably like Harry Belafonte, he suddenly sang:

"DAAAAY-O!"

The sound echoed through the Great Hall like thunder.

Every conversation stopped instantly.

Forks froze halfway to mouths.

Students looked around in confusion.

Lockhart looked the most confused of all.

Because the voice had come from him.

Silence followed.

Several long seconds passed.

Lockhart blinked repeatedly.

"What was—"

Then music started.

Bright.

Cheerful.

Energetic.

The unmistakable rhythm of the Banana Boat Song filled the Hall.

"DAAAAAY-AY-AY-O!"

The powerful voice rang out again.

Not Lockhart's normal voice.

This voice was deep.

Rich.

Smooth.

It sounded exactly like Harry Belafonte.

The entire Hall stared.

Lockhart stared too.

Then his body moved.

Entirely against his will.

He began dancing.

Not awkwardly.

Not clumsily.

Professionally.

His feet moved with surprising rhythm.

His arms swung dramatically.

His robes swirled around him.

Students watched in stunned disbelief.

Then Lockhart sang, "Daylight come and me wan' go home!"

The rich voice echoed perfectly through the Hall.

The song filled every corner of the room.

Lockhart looked horrified.

His body looked delighted.

The contrast was extraordinary.

Fred immediately fell against George laughing.

George was already laughing too hard to remain upright.

The song continued.

"Work all night on a drink of rum!"

Lockhart spun.

Pointed dramatically toward the ceiling.

Then executed a surprisingly graceful turn.

The students erupted.

Laughter exploded throughout the Hall.

Even older students who normally ignored Lockhart couldn't contain themselves.

Harry nearly dropped his goblet.

Ron was wheezing.

Hermione attempted to remain composed.

The attempt lasted approximately three seconds.

Then she started laughing too.

Neville looked completely bewildered.

Luna appeared fascinated.

She seemed to genuinely enjoy the performance.

At the staff table, reactions varied considerably.

McGonagall lowered her glasses.

Then removed them entirely.

Then put them back on.

Apparently hoping the problem would disappear.

It did not.

Flitwick looked delighted.

Sprout was openly laughing.

Dumbledore appeared positively enchanted.

Only Snape remained outwardly composed.

Though several observant Slytherins noticed a faint twitch at the corner of his mouth.

The Potions Master slowly sipped his tea.

Watched Lockhart dance across the Hall.

Then calmly returned the cup to its saucer.

"Remarkable."

The single word carried enough dry amusement to make Draco nearly choke.

Lockhart desperately attempted to stop singing.

Unfortunately, every effort failed.

"Stack banana till de morning come!"

He twirled flawlessly.

Robes spinning.

Jazz hands appearing against his will.

His body performed another spin.

Then a flourish.

Then an enthusiastic clap sequence.

The music continued mercilessly.

Students started clapping instinctively.

Several Hufflepuffs joined the rhythm immediately.

Even some Ravenclaws were singing along within seconds.

Soon half the Hall was participating.

The spectacle had evolved beyond Lockhart's control.

Not that he had possessed any control to begin with.

His face turned increasingly red.

Yet the song refused to end.

Peeves appeared overhead shaking invisible maracas.

Fred shouted through tears—

“He’s possessed by rhythm!”

George wheezed, “AND IT’S BEAUTIFUL!”

Mira watched everything with quiet satisfaction.

Draco sat beside her, shoulders shaking from suppressed laughter.

Fred and George looked immensely proud of themselves.

The enchantment had worked perfectly.

Better than expected, actually.

The music charm synchronized flawlessly with the voice enchantment.

Every note emerged exactly as intended.

Mira couldn't help admiring the craftsmanship.

It was elegant.

Complex.

And deeply embarrassing.

Exactly the sort of prank Lockhart seemed destined to attract.

Draco physically collapsed against the Slytherin table laughing, “…Why is he GOOD at this?!”

Mira watched thoughtfully, “The charm improves performance quality.”

“That sentence is deeply upsetting.”

Finally, the song reached its conclusion.

The last chorus echoed through the Hall.

And delivered the final line with full Harry Belafonte energy—

“DAAAAAAAYLIGHT COME AND ME WAN’ GO HOOOOOME!”

The music ended with a flourish.

Lockhart struck one final dramatic pose.

One arm raised skyward.

The other across his chest.

The music ended with a flourish.

Lockhart froze.

Silence followed.

Absolute silence.

Then the Hall exploded.

Applause.

Cheers.

Laughter.

Students pounded tables.

Several older Ravenclaws gave a standing ovation.

The Weasley twins looked moments away from tears.

Dumbledore applauded enthusiastically.

Flitwick joined him.

Sprout as well.

Even some portraits hanging on the walls clapped.

Lockhart stood frozen.

Humiliation radiated from every inch of his body.

His face had reached a shade of red previously thought impossible.

Slowly, painfully, he lowered his raised arm.

The applause continued.

Lockhart looked around desperately.

Searching for answers.

Searching for sympathy.

Finding none.

Eventually, Lockhart sat down.

Very carefully.

Very quietly.

The Hall gradually returned to normal.

Conversations resumed.

Dinner continued.

Yet occasional bursts of laughter still erupted whenever someone remembered what had happened.

At the Slytherin table, Draco leaned closer to Mira.

"I think that might be my favorite one."

Mira considered.

Then glanced toward the staff table.

Lockhart remained motionless.

Traumatized.

Probably replaying every second of the performance in his mind.

She smiled, "Until the next one."

Across the Hall, Fred and George overheard.

Their matching grins widened immediately.

That response alone worried Draco slightly.

Because whenever the twins looked that pleased, it usually meant Lockhart's problems were only just beginning.

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