Author's letter
To those who wonder why I didn't do this in the first chapter, I reply, I wanted to begin my story with no distractions. If you have been hooked and have continued, I give my most gracious thanks.
I started this story with having just started NanoWrimo (National Novel Writing Month). I was told I was not aloud to write fanfiction as it was taking credit for someone else's work. But I was informed as of late that I was aloud as long as I didn't take credit. I have no intentions to take credit for the wonderful works of J.K Rowling as well as a few of the other pieces of work I have included.
I have now taken this story in a slighly new direction. It will be basicly the same, just with a Harry Potter twist. I ask you to be patient. It takes a couple chapters to get to the Harry Potter side of things.
Now, please enjoy.
Effen took a while to open up. And by a while I mean years. The only person he went near was Rose. He followed her like a lost puppy. And in return, Rose took care of him. When he was picked on she didn't hesitate to knock around teeth. After a while, people got the idea and left them alone, completely. Rose had a few friends and she would say hi and chat a little before returning to Effen. There were a few times that Rose's mother would hear them talking in their shared room. Effen was a little louder then when he was asked a question such as, 'How was your day,' or 'Would you like some more?' Then Christmas came up. Effen did the crafts at school, but he didn't put any real effort into it. Christmas was nothing special for him.
"What do you guy what Santa to bring you for Chirstmas?" Rose's father asked one evening when they were all sitting at the table.
"I want one of those dolls that you can feed and they cry sometime... or a Furby! I heard about Furbys from Michel at school. But they sell them any more. So Santa would have to get one from someone else, but that would be mean cause then he would be taking from someone and thats mean." Roses beamed.
"What about you Effen? What would you like from Santa?" Rose's mother asked softly. Effen had his head hung. He shugged and limply let his shoulders droop in defeat.
"You must want something."
"Can't." Effen barely said.
"Well why not sweety?"
"Santa does not like bad boys."
There was a stunned silence. Then Rose stood and walked over to Effen.
"Your not bad Effen. I told you. You are the nicest person ever. And don't forget it." Rose stood next to Effen, hands on hips.
"Okay Rose."
"I bet you didn't get presents cause they took them when Santa left them. It's their fault." Rose declared loudly. "But now they can't take them so you have to tell Santa what you want so you can get something cool. Okay? Now smile." Roses stayed till Effen lifted his head and plastered a fake smile there. She nodded then sat down. Thats how things were with Rose. She was the only one who could convince Effen of anything. After a while he put his head down again smile gone.
"Effen, do you know what you want from Santa?"
"Yeah."
"What is it hun?"
He looked up. He looked hopeful but hesitant in being so.
"He can't give it to me cause he can't give me knowledge."
"What kind of knowledge?" Effen took a breath as if preparing himself.
"Dance. I want to dance."
Effen's request surprised Rose's parents but Rose didn't seem surprised at all. It must have been one of the things they talked about when they hid away in some corner of the house that Rose's mother had yet to find. But despite this, she looked into all the dancing schools around. Lots of them had multiple choices in style. Rose's mother wondered how he would do, being so shy. She still signed him up for classes and spoke to the instructors about him choosing which style he would do. Then She went to a store that sold dance clothes and shoes and purchanced a certificate worth $50 so he could get the clothes and things he wanted.
Christmas rolled around. Effen still didn't believe that Santa would get him something. Though he didn't say it, he still thought he was a bad boy. Christmas Eve, when the children were asleep, Rose's parents filled their stockings with lots of candy and little toys and well as gave each an Ugly Doll. Rose's Father set down a sleeping Furby next to Rose's stalking while Rose's mother wrote in as eligant hand writing as she could while eating the cookies that the kids had left for Santa. It read as followed:
Dear Effen,
I'm sorry I could never visit you and give you presents before today. I hope this makes up for the years you have gone without and you have fun.
Sincerely,
Santa
Rose's mother folded the letter and stuck it into an envoloped and addressed it, Effen. She then stuck two certificates in as well. One that said he could pick any class at the Rocky Mountain Dance Center he wanted. The other holding the worth of $50 to the dance clothes store. She sealed it and popped it against his stocking. She gave it one last look to make sure it looked perfect. Then she stood, accepting a reassuring hug from her husband and headed up to bed.
Then next morning woke them to a child jumping on their bed and their legs. There was another one standing not too far away grasping an envolope.
"He came, he came. And Effen got presents too! And looky, I got a Furby!" The Furby gave surprised exclamations as it was jostled around. She hugged the Furby close and the artifical intelligence told her to not tip it.
"What did you get, Effen?" Rose's father asked. Effen looked down at the envolope. His hands shaking.
"He hasn't opened it yet. Go on Effen, open it!" Rose stopped jumping. Effen slowly ripped open the top till he could pull out the letter inside. He looked at it, reading it. His eyes got wider and wider as he read the letter. Then he reached in once more. First the certificate for classes then the $50 certificate. He stood speechless.
"What is it?" asked Rose. She hopped over to him and read over to his shoulder. Her eyes got wide too.
"Mom, Dad! Effens gonna learn how to dance!" Rose jumped around excited.
"Bring it here." said Rose's mother. Effen slowly walked over to her side of the bed and shakily held out his papers. Instead of taking them, Rose's mother read them from where she was. Having already known what it said she finished quickly.
"Effen! Thats great! What are you going to learn?" She asked with a smile.
"I want... I want to learn," He gulped, "Ballet." He barely finished. Rose's mother nodded.
"Is that your favoriet?" He nodde shyly. Rose's mother smiled lightly.
"Do you know how to do anything?" Effen looked up and smiled and set his papers down on the bed. He took a couple of steps back to get some room. At first he stood there as if wondering what to do then swung up his leg infront of himself his other foot pushing his up into point. His other leg bent infront of him before straightening, his arms out in front of him then up above his head.
Rose's parents sat shocked. Effen held it a few seconds longer before he put his leg down and that foot also went into the point. He shifted to his front. He grabbed the top of his back foot and arched it upward. He couldn't get very far up but his foot got to almost above his head. He put this one down quicker then before. He put the back foot infront of his front and slide down into the almost splits.
Rose giggled.
"Isn't he GREAT!?" She asked as she clapped. Rose's parents looked at eachother.
"I think we're going to need to get him into a more advanced class." Rose's mother said. Her husband nodded. They turned back to Effen.
"How do you do that? How did you learn?"
"I taught myself. They left the TV on and ballet was on. I watched and wanted to learn too. So I watched and taught myself." Effen explained. Rose's mother smiled.
"Good job, Effen. You dance beautifully." Effen beamed and for the first time he smiled. His smile was almost blinding and warm. Rose smiled right back.
Effen started his classes in January. Rose's mother had talked to the Instructors about Effen's talent.
Effen bounced happily in his seat as they waited for class to begin. He was dressed in his new black tight fitting pants or, as Rose called them, tights and a white shirt.
"Alright class. Step up to the bar. Rest your hand lightly on the bar, now ready? Front one, front two,..." Rose's mother sat in a stiff chair at the observation window. Effen gliding throught the exercises with ease. They then began point. Effen had insisted on getting point shoes instead of the traditional men's floppy shoes. He joyfully slipped them on then trotted back to the group. The girls in the group all gave him wierded out looks. First of all, he was the smallest of all of them. Second, he was a boy wearing point shoes. The teacher called they're attention back to the front.
"This in the first point class. I want to see who needs help with what whether it be foot strenght, balance, etc. On the count of three, I want all of you to go up like so." The teacher demonstrated going up, her feet close together under her. She stayed a moment so everyone could see before going down again. Rose's mother smiled. If Effen could stand on one foot while in point, this would be easy. The woman next to her snortted.
"What is a boy doing in there. With point shoes none the less. He'll give up soon." The woman sneered. Rose's mother frowned.
"He's better then any child I have ever seen." She said, then turned back to the window. The woman mumbled something about 'stupid mothers always thinking their children were special'. Rose's mother ignored her.
"One... Two... Three!" The instructor called. All the children went up, some went right back down again.
"Good job Rihan." The mother next the Rose's mother called and clapped. It slowed though when she saw the boy still up. A few more went down. Then a nother. Soon everyone was down except Effen. He looked around almost confused.
"Can you bent down, Boy?" the Instructor asked. Effen lowered himself till he was crouching, still in point. He stayed there.
"Go back up." He stood and stayed up still.
"Can you more your feet apart?" The instructor asked. He stepped out with one foot. Still, he stayed up in his point.
"If you can, lift your leg." The instructor said. Easily, Effen went up into the position that he'd first done when showing Rose's parents. Rose's mother couldn't help but smile. The woman's mouth was flapping, but no sound came out. Effen was getting a little shakey, but so far he'd been up for a good minute.
"You can go back down. Have you taken classes before?"
"No madame." He said lowering himself slowly. The instructor gave him a long look before moving towards the door next to the observation window.
"Mrs. Rumman. My I talk to you?"
"Of course, what is it?"
"May I ask how Effen learned point?"
"He taught himself from the TV. Why? Is there something wrong?"
"No no. Mrs. Rumman, I'd like to keep him for the more advanced class today. It's right after this class. Would that be okay?" Rose's mother felt an excited flutter in her chest.
"Oh, of course."
"Thank you Mrs. Rumman." With that she returned back to the class.
After lots of stretching and working in point, the Instructor turned on the radio.
"Okay class. Dance to your heart's content. Us as much point as you can. I don't run into people." Everyone scattered into different directions and began twirling and leaping, every once in a while going up to point. Effen looked around, then lowered his head. He listened.
The kisses of the sun,
Were sweet I didn't blink,
I let it in my eyes,
Like an exotic drink,
The radio playing songs,
That I have never heard,
I don't know what to say,
Oh, not another word.
Effen lifted his head his face focused on the mirror as he rose up on his toe, his other rised waisted high and helping him spin to the beat. His arms were raised in a hoop fashion
Just la la la la la
It goes around the world
Just la la la la la
It's all around the world
Just la la la la la
And everybody singin'
La la la la la
And now the bells are ringin'.
He put down his leg and lowered out of point only to raise his leg again to do a sideways bend, his lifted foot bend ing sideways also so he looked like a hoop with a leg coming out of it. Rose's mother thought that was pretty inpressive and was surprised as he continued to turn.
Inside an empty room
My inspiration flows
Can't wait to hear the tune
Around my head it goes
The magic melody
You want to sing with me
Just la la la la la
The music is the key
He stopped, straightened, then continued spinning in place as he had at the beginning of the song.
And now the night is gone
Still it goes on and on
So deep inside of me
I long to set it free
I don't know what to do
Just can't explain to you
I don't know what to say
Oh not another word
He stopped mid turn and came out of point into puroet. He bend his knees low like he was bowing then leapt up into the air. Several people aroung him gasped as he rose high. He seemed suppened for a moment for he fell to the ground ungracefully.
Just la la la la la
It goes around the world
Just la la la la la
It's all around the world
Just la la la la la
And everybody singin'
La la la la la
And now the bells are ringin'
A single person clapped. It was a lith man with curly brownish blond hair and glasses that sat near the bridge. He had an angular face and long piano fingers. He'd been standing near the door watching Effen. He now took long steps towards Effen, his hands up infront of him, clapping in a steady beat.
Effen stared at him as if he was an alien that was dancing with a cow. The man soon was close enough, that Effen had to look straight up.
"What ie your name?" The man asked as he crouched down to Effen's level.
"Effen. Whats your name?"
"Molly. It's very nice to meet you." Molly held out him hand and after a moment Effn took it. Molly smiled and took back his hand.
"Where did you learn to do those Effen?" Molly asked.
"I learned them from the TV. I practised really hard."
"You must have. Those are very hard moves to do. Are you staying for the next class Effen?"
"He is." Rose's mother was approching them from the door. It was then that Effen realized that everyone had about left. "I talked to the instructor already. She would like you to be in this class now Effen."
"Okay. Are you in this class molly?"
"Why yes I am." Molly said with a huge couldn't help but smile back that a smile like that.
"We should stretch Effen. Want to be limber before the teacher works you. She can push you sometimes. Then you'll be sore for a week." Molly made a silly face that mocked pain while holding his rear. Effen laughed.
"Would you like to stretch with me Effen?"
"Yes please."
Over the next ten minutes, Molly showed Effen how to stretch proberly and what exercises would limber him up faster without hamaging his muscles and tendons. Rose's mother had retreated back to the obsevation window. The rest of the class came in. Most of them were draw to Effen right away, asking if this was Molly's relative.
"Nope, this kids new in class." Molly said ruffling Effens long hair that was hanging losely in a pony tail at his neck.
"Everyone, everyone. In line, by the bars. Ready and a 1..." The bar exercises where a little bit more difficult but not by much which made it enjoyable for Effen.
"Alright class. We have a new class mate, Mr. Effen Gord. He has been learning ballet on his own and has just come around to joining real classes. Welcome." The lady instructor said. There were murmurs of welcome around the studio.
"Let us work on lifts today. Molly, since Effen enjoys point, could you work with him and he be the female part?"
"Of course." Molly grinned and stood next to Effen. He set his hand on Effen's shoulder and smiled reassuringly at him.
"Let us start in puroet, ladies and Effen. Good good, effen feet a little closer dear, good. Now men, stand behind your ladie, or Effen. Place your hands on the ladys', or Effen's, waist. You will both bend your knees to sring. Good. Ladies and Effen you will leap and point your toes. On the count of three. One, two, three!" Effen bent his knees then gave a great leap up. May people tried and fumbled. Some right out fell. But Effen being to small and light aloud Molly to keep him up above his head. Effen arched his back in a perfect arch his feet pointed down and pointed. His arms came over his his head and completed the arch. His ribs stuck up making him look stick thin from the side view.
"Good job good job. Alright slowly lower him down. Good. Now tell us, how did you get up?"
"For me, it helped when I stood after Effen had jumped. It made up for the the height. And he's very light so it helped to lift him."
"Thank you, Molly. And you Effen?" Effen's eye brightened even as he looked down shyly.
"I push as hard as I could, but not too hard cause I was scared I'd go over him completely. Also keeping my back bent nad not trying to keep it straight when I went up."
"Thank you too, Effen. Now lets try again, using Molly and Effen's observations." Everyone got back into position. "Ready? 1, 2, 3!" Effen went up once more. Everyone one else got up after alittle wobbling.
"Fantastic everyone, Fantastic! Okay down, slowly, slowly." Molly lowered Effen slowly down till his feet touched the floor. "Now Ladies, and Effen, got up into point." Effen went into point.
"How do you do that? It always looks so painful." Molly said. Effen giggled.
"Now once again, but now from e point. Effen, honey, keep your feet together, good. Once again, count of three. One, Two, Three." Effen pushed off once more, this time it felt easier to get up. That seemed the case with everyone else too.
"Good, everyone! Good! Take a five minute break and come back. Water everyone, lots of water."
"Good work Effen."
"Your doing great Effen."
"Your so cute."
"Hey Effen, you should dance with me sometime."
Effen beamed at the attention he was getting. It felt nice to have people say nice things to you. Someone handed him a cold plastic water bottle and told him to drink some before going back in. He opened the top and took a couple sips. I cooled his throat and soothed his body. He sighed and drank some more. After finishing part of it and setting it next to Rose's sleeping mother, he returned to the studio. Everybody was too.
"Hey cutie."
"Show us what you can do kiddo."
"Do your best, k?"
Effen smiled at them and they smiled back as they passed. It was nice to be complimented and talked to. Seeing Molly he hurried over.
"Did you get water? Wouldn't do if you passed out." Molly teased smiling.
"I got some water. Someone gave me water bottle. I drank a little."
"Thats good." The instructor came sweeping into the studio that moment.
"Alright alright. Shall we continue? Everyone back with your partners. In a little bit we'll switch it up alittle. Men behind, ladies, and Effen, in front. Hands on their hips, good, good. Ladies, and Effen, go into point. Good, now raise you arms high above your heads. Now go to one foot. Carefully now, don't want any sprained or broken ankles. Right now men give them a good spin, then lift then above your heads." Effen almost giggled as Molly's hands brushed his side as he turned in a circle, then he bent his knee and jumped as Molly lifted. He felt a little light headed. It was looking back at the wall behind him that he saw Rose through the window. She had her nose press to the window. Effen smiled at watched horrified as her eye rolled into the back of her head and she started shaking, falling away form the observation window. Effen could see Rose's mother start to panic and kneel next to her daughter.
"Rose!" Effen called out and struggled to get down. Molly lost his hold and Effen dropped heavily to the ground. He scrambled to his feet, ignoring the voices and the hands trying to help him up, and ran to the door next to the observation window. He skid to the left to where Rose lay.
"Rose, Rose!!! Wake up!" Effen cried kneeling next to her. Her eyes fluttered and she looked around confused.
"Why am I down here?" Rose asked. Effen almost cried in relief. He pulled Rose up and hugged her to him.
"Looks like she had a Grande Mal." molly's voice came from behind him. Effen looked around, not understanding what had happened to Rose and looking to the person that seemed to.
"It's a seizure. They're not fatal as long as it only lasts a little while. About ten minutes, beyond that and it could be. She won't remember it. See? Shes confused how she got down there. Don't worry, shes okay. Was this your first time kiddo?" Molly stepped forward and leaned over to look at nodded shyly.
"It's okay. Are you her mother?" Molly asked Rose's mother. She looked at him suddenly.
"Yes, yes I am." Rose's mother said, paniced tears drying on her face.
"Does Rose have a regular doctor?" Molly asked further.
"Yes... yes she does. Should I take her?" Rose's mother asked.
"Get her in for a check up. Tell him she had a seizure and he'll take you from there. If you want, I bring Effen home for you after class. Here I'll give you my cell number and address incase you ever need me." Molly offered gently. Rose's mother shook her head.
"I'll take him. Thank you for offering. Go tell the teacher you need to leave early, Effen." Rose's mother said. Effen nodded sadly and raced off to tell the teacher.
"It's his first day." Molly said.
"Yes." Rose's mother replied automaticly.
"At Ballet?"
"Yes." She answered again.
"Ever?"
"Yes." She finalized. He nodded.
"He has a beautiful talent. And hes so graceful he could pass for the part he dances. I hope he'll be aloud a main part in one of our productions. He has so much potential, it'd be a shame for it to go to waste." Molly mused. Then he turned back to Rose's mother.
"I'm going to be heading back to class. I hope to see you again." Molly turned away and retreated back into the studio. Effen ran up to him a feet feet from the door.
"I'll see you again next week, right?" Effen aske eagerly.
"Of course. I'll be here." Molly smiled at him then went back to join the group of adults. Effen gave one last glance then turned away and skiried back to Rose's mother.
"Can you stand Rose? Do you think you can make it to the car?" Rose's mother asked. Roses nodded.
"Yes, mom." Then she stood up. She didn't wobble or anything like Effen and even her mother seemed to think. She seemed fine now. They walked slowly outside and to Rose's mother's car. They got in and headed home.