"Alike In Dignity"
When Hogwarts College decides to perform Romeo and Juliet, the Head Girl, Lily Evans, jumps at the chance to play Juliet. But what happens when her best friend gets her role, and her enemy, the Head Boy, gains the role of Romeo?
Dear Diary
Pothead Potter decided to speak to me today. As if I could –possibly- understand when his mouth was full of food and his eyes were looking through my jersey as though it was invisible. Pervert.
Things must be done.
Stupid lowlife thinking he can be my Romeo in the upcoming production. Who does he think he is? Leonard Whiting? (I heart Leonard Whiting!!). So, naturally, I told Potter where he could shove it and walked off. Like Pothead Potter could possibly act. He doesn't attend any of our drama classes. He just wanders off and plays... SNOOKER or something equally as pointless with his friends. "The Marauders". Which, by the way Diary, I write with UTTER disgust. Some of them (ONE!!) is so nice. Remus John Lupin. He's a darling. Sweet, considerate, INTELLECTUAL, attends all his classes and (he's not too bad to look at!) he actually acts like a human.
Sirius Black, on the other hand, has got to be the biggest man-whore this side of the hemisphere. He's practically a Hippie, practicing free love with every girl he meets.
Oh, and then there's Peter. I don't know much about him, except he's a simpering fool and I pity him wholeheartedly.
Remus wants to be in the play too. He's thinking of being Romeo. I would "not for the world" (ha-ha!) anyone but Remus gets it! Mind you, I would be able to cope if Severus- ex-best- friend!!- BETRAYER!!- SKANK!!-Snape gets it. Of course, I am Juliet. I'm the most obvious choice.
Alas, I must go. I have ten minutes to get from study hall to the auditorium for auditions!
"Anon, Anon!"
Lily Evans
"But soft! What light through yonder window breaks.
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!
Arise fair sun, and kill the envious moon
Who is already sick and pale with grief
That thou her maid art more fair than she.
Be not her maid, for she is envious.
Her vestal livery is but sick and green
And none but fools do wear it: cast it off!"
"Brilliant, Mr Potter! That was amazing!" cried the head of drama, Mr Flitwick. He was half the size of James, but certainly had more than enough enthusiasm. He tottered towards the stage and walked up. "We have our Romeo!"
"Filius, it would be wise to let the others audition," a woman curtly said from the wings, looking at the elderly teacher.
"Of course, Minerva. Of course. Ms McGonagall is right, of course. Lupin, you're next."
James clapped his friend on the shoulder as the two passed on the stage, James making his way to the seat, and Remus making his way to the centre. "I... uh... yeah." He smiled sheepishly before launching into a monologue.
"Ah, dear Juliet,
Why art thou yet so fair? Shall I believe
That unsubstantial death is amorous,
And that the lean abhorrèd monster keeps
Thee here in dark to be his paramour?
For fear of that, I still will stay with thee,
And never from this palace of dim night
Depart again..."
"That was very good, Mr Lupin. Any more for Romeo?"
"I'd do it, but that'd mean I'd have to kiss Evans," Sirius called, disgusted. "I won't kiss a frigid bi- ow! Shit Evans, what was that for?"
"Oh, nothing. Just checking there was something actually in that skull. There isn't," Lily responded tartly before getting to her feet. "Professor Flitwick, sir? Can we audition Juliet now?" asked the auburn haired teen, smiling sweetly.
"Of course. Take the stage, Lily," declared the professor and promptly sat down to watch. This ought to be excellent; Lily was president of the Drama Society, after all.
"Line, please."
"I would adventure for such merchandise," called out James Potter, having seen the piece Lily was about to read.
Lily rolled her eyes and flipped a rude sign at Potter under Flitwick's oblivious nose before beginning.
"Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face,
Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek
For that which thou hast heard me speak tonight.
Fain would I dwell on form. Fain, fain deny
What I have spoke. But farewell compliment!
Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say "ay,"
And I will take thy word. Yet if thou swear'st
Thou mayst prove false. At lovers' perjuries,
They say, Jove laughs. O gentle Romeo,
If thou dost love, pronoun-"
"Wonderful, Miss Evans. Take a seat," Flitwick called, turning in his seat to look at the students. "Any more for Juliet?" he asked, waiting a few minutes for a reply. Upon the failure to receive a reply, Flitwick nodded. "Well then, Mercu-"
"Oh, bottom!" Allison Kent cried as she came running into the theatre, holding her heels in her hand. "Am I too late? I wanted to be Juliet," she said, before shrugging slightly as she saw Lily on stage. "Guess she's already cast." She bent over and put her shoes back on, before standing up straight and holding the back of her skirt. She shot a death glare at the boy who had just let out a low whistle, her eyes fixed on Sirius Black. The dark-headed man hurriedly held his hands up in surrender before pointing at Remus, who was looking rather oblivious and simply gave Allison a happy smile and a wave. She raised her eyebrows in surprise, before walking over to the teacher. "Maybe I could go for the nurse...?"
"Nonsense, Miss Kent. If you want to be Juliet, by all means, go up there and try."
"Oh, thank you." She set her books and school jersey down on a seat before making her way up to the stage. "Shall I begin...? Alright.
'O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.
'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art myself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of three,
Take all myself," Allie spoke, before hurriedly abandoning the stage and sitting down next to Lily.
"Wonderful, Miss Kent. Now, Mercutio?"
Authors Note: No, this is not going to turn out to be one of those cliché Lily and James as Romeo and Juliet stories. Fear no soppy, terribly acted love scenes between our un-starcross'd lovers.
And unless you are terribly thick, no. I did not write Romeo and Juliet. William Shakespeare did. And if you want to understand what on earth the characters are saying? Visit THIS page: nfs./romeojuliet/
James' audition: Act II, Scene ii
Remus: Act V, Scene iii
Lily: Act II, Scene ii
Ally (Allison): Act II, Scene ii