So you think you can dance.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the associated characters/locations/plot line. That would all go to the brilliant J.K. Rowling.
Chapter 1
It was the first official day of classes at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Hermione Granger, along with her fellow classmates, was waiting nervously for the arrival of their new teacher.
Her name was Ms. Grindhall and although she was relatively young and beautiful, the subject that she was going to be teaching created much more buzz than her appearance. At the feast the previous night Dumbledore had announced a new class…ballroom dance.
Apparently he felt that social skills would soon be taking precedence over battle magic. Hermione supposed he was referring to the approaching end of the war. It wasn't over yet, that was for sure, but everyday the Daily Prophet reported more and more Deatheater captures.
Almost every student was extremely anxious because most had little or no experience. However, Hermione, although she'd kept her secret very well, was not one of them.
True, she was nervous, but it was not because she didn't know how to dance. Quite the contrary actually, she was a phenomenal dancer and spent most of her summers training, however, she'd never shared that part of her life with those at Hogwarts and was worried about what they would think of "little miss bookworm" when they found out. There were sure to be taunts from the Slytherins and the even more embarrassing compliments and cat calls from the Gryffindor. She just didn't see how this could turn out well. She'd either have to brave the results or play dumb…Hermione never played dumb.
While she waited she studied the room they were going to be using which must have been renovated over the summer because she didn't remember anything like it in previous years. It was very large with one wall covered in mirrors and the one opposite it in windows. The floor was a wood and there were little magical speakers throughout the room to distribute the music. Hermione had to admit… it was a pretty nice facility.
She fiddled with her skirt. She sighed remembering coming down from changing after lunch; she'd surprised a few when she showed up in a tight t-shirt and loose skirt that was just shy of her knees with shorts underneath. It wasn't too sexy per say, but it was a far cry from her baggy Hogwarts robes.
Suddenly all the whispers around the room went silent as the doors opened and the Ms. Grindhall from last night walked confidently into the room.
"Good morning students," she said pleasantly. "I've decided to start today with something fun to get you all pumped about this awesome class. But first I must get a sample of who has had any past experience. Can I see a raise of hands?"
It was now or never. Hermione decided it was worth it to be able to actually dance again and hesitantly raised her hands among some other uncertain classmates. It was just a handful, but she didn't look to see who it included…she would know as soon as they got on the dance floor. Ron and Harry were pleasantly surprised to see her raise her hand but didn't say anything which relaxed her a little bit.
"Not too bad," Ms. Grindhall said, "Now do I have any that have done a little bit more than the basic steps.
Most of the hands went down; actually all but two hands went down. Hermione looked over to see who the other person was and almost fainted. Draco Malfoy danced? Well of course he danced that was a stupid thing to question he would have to at all the important balls and parties he went to. But still it took her aback a little.
"Very nice, our head boy and girl. Could both of you come up to the front please." Dang it she thought. What have I gotten myself into? She walked up to the front very slowly, she didn't want to get into Malfoy's vicinity until she absolutely had to. "Would either of you mind if I asked for a demonstration? I just want to give them a taste for what we'll be learning in this class. Don't worry we know you're just improving."
Hermione and Malfoy just nodded resignedly not really wanting to but not having the gal to get on the teachers bad side on the first day. Once they realized that their fates were sealed and they were going to have to go through with this they began to "check each other out."
To the onlooker it might seem as if they were actually checking each other out, but in reality they were analyzing each other, trying to gauge the others ability and potential- something that dancers commonly do upon receiving a new partner. The first stop is the shoes. Generally dancers have one pair of shoes that they adore and beat up until they're falling off their feet. This wear and tear signifies the amount of dancing the person does while the placement of the wear and tear can tell a little about the ability and the types of movements they do. Next, the girl checks to see if the guy has the strength to do the difficult lifts and stunts while the guy confirms that the girl has suitable legs that can handle the intense movements and sustain leg lifts. This routine "check out" of new partners was second nature and neither actually registered who it was they were "checking out" until they reached the face and then suddenly met in a death glare.
The teacher smiled then said, "Okay, I'll put on a cha-cha and you guys just have fun and show us what you've got." As the teacher went to fiddle with the magical music player Hermione and Draco continued to glare at each other.
"Granger, didn't realize you danced. I'll be careful not to dance circles around you. I wouldn't want to trip."
"Oh, I honestly doubt you'll have that problem."
"So confident of yourself are you. You may dominate in studies, but I assure you that I dominate the dance floor."
"We'll see."
Just then the music started and Draco pulled her into closed position and began to do the basic cha-cha pattern, both of them falling easily into step. They both truly shocked everyone as they expertly navigated throughout the room shaking their hips like true Hispanics.
Although, they were just doing the basic Hermione could tell that Draco had true talent. He wasn't giving anything close to what he had. Maybe that or her ache for real dancing is what inspired her to lean a little closer and whisper in Draco's ear, "Come on, is that all you've got." He put on his infamous Malfoy smirk and replied, "If that's how you wanna play," and then whipped her out and around him including several moves with very tricky foot work. He was an excellent lead and Hermione was able to follow him without missing a beat. He raised his eyebrows clearly impressed by her skill as well. Then proceeded to do all of the most complicated twists, turns, exchanges, moves, and lifts he could think of. Hermione, however, was able to follow him wherever he led her and keep up with his fast paced movements. 8 lifts, 27 spins, and 3 splits later the music finally ended and left Hermione and Draco quite out of breath. The entire class including Ms. Grindhall was flabbergasted. They had expected the two to be pretty good, but these two were professional caliber dancers.
"Thanks Malfoy. You know, you're an amazing lead. I totally wasn't expecting that"
"Ya you're great too. It's been a while. I'd forgotten how wonderful that was."
"Pretty great high isn't it."
He was about to reply when suddenly they realized that they were having a normal conversation.
"Ya I guess," he said with forced awkward venom which cut their first real conversation short.
The class sat in silence not knowing weather to clap or scowl but ended up with the latter. After she snapped out of her trance Ms. Grindhall stood and clapped with the rest screaming bravo at the top of her lungs. When the noise calmed down she complimented them once again and then bid them take their seats. An embarrassed Hermione and cocky Draco returned to the audience and listened as their new teacher explained the course curriculum and explained that there would be a series of dances throughout the year that they would have to prepare.
Ron sat rigidly beside Hermione while Harry eyed her warily. This is exactly what she had been worried about. She didn't want her friends to treat her differently. She decided the best course of action was to ignore it and just keep her attention on the teacher which turned out to be very difficult as her mind wandered from the dance she'd just performed to the strange reactions of her best friends. Finally class ended and she grabbed her stuff about to go when Ron's voice cut through her thoughts.
"What was that?"
"What are you talking about?" she replied.
"I mean you letting Malfoy put his hands all over you." Hermione was completely taken aback.
"What are you talking about, we were just dancing." She said after she recovered. "Jus…just dancing. That was not just dancing. That was like dirty dancing." He replied intelligently.
Hermione laughed, "Ron that was one of the cleanest Latin dances I've ever performed in my life."
Ms. Grindhall who had overheard came forward, "I must agree. While the dancing was amazing, there was no passion in what they danced. If you're reacting this way, I'd hate to see what you do when they present their prepared dances. I mean I expect at least some passionate acting if nothing else then."
"Wait, what prepared dances?"
"Well you two will obviously have to be partners. No one else will match your skill levels."
"There has to be. I'm sure we could find someone. Just please professor; I'm sure if he were here he would agree with me."
"I'm sorry Miss Granger I've already made my decision."
"But…"
"Not buts about it. That's my decision is final." And with that she walked away.
"Great just great: a whole year of partnering with that jerk. What have I gotten myself into?" Hermione mumbled under her breath. No one in the trio seemed to be in a good mood as the trudged to their next class.
A/N: Ok so I've wanted to write this story for a very long time! And I recently just sat down and started writing. I have limited knowledge of dancing, although both of my parents have done it, but hopefully I didn't make any sizeable blunders. Feel free to correct me and I'll change anything I need to to make it authentic. I did make up the whole "check out" thing just so all of you know but I think I tried to keep everything else realistic.
Also, I'm going to try and keep this as clean as possible. I hate it when I have to turn off a really good story because of what the characters are doing and that's what happens with most of the dance ones so I determined to make my own and make it clean.
Thanks so much for reading and I'll try to update ASAP. Please Review!
One White Tulip