The Phantom of Hogwarts
Chapter Thirteen
When Erik returned to the common room later that afternoon he found most of the Ravenclaw first years in the second study room.
Mordrid was slumped over his Charms homework while Vanessa was polishing up her Potions essay. Near them sat Jared Butler and Devona Barnes playing a game of Wizards Chess. Jared was looking rather glum as Devona's queen pummeled his knight into sawdust with her scepter.
Erik sat down beside Mordrid and smiled at his friend, "Rough day?"
Mordrid's head lifted up from his textbook as he pulled his spectacles down from his forehead and back onto his nose, "Make her stop." Mordrid pleaded, "As soon as we finished with Lunch she dragged me up here for homework! Jared had challenged me to a game of Wizards Chess but her Highness said no. It's Friday for crying out loud!"
Vanessa didn't look up from her work, "As a Ravenclaw you must learn to prioritize. Our house is held up to the highest academic standards in the school. I want to win the House Cup for Ravenclaw this year and if it means whipping you into academic shape then I will. So how did it go with your father and your aunt?" Vanessa asked.
Erik filled them in on what his father had told him about the music program.
"Sounds interesting. I'll have to ask Professor Garron if I can enroll as well." Vanessa said.
"What do you play?" Erik asked.
"I sing. My grandfather, Varen Le Mort is a well-known patron of the arts in both Romania and his summer residence in Hungary. He insisted that I learn how to sing as part of my education as a lady so some of the best singers in the Hungarian opera tutored me." Vanessa answered.
Mordrid shook his head, "If my parents had gone to such lengths for me, there might have been hope. I can't sing or play an instrument to save my life."
On Monday evening (their weekend holidays a fading memory) Erik and Vanessa made their way to the music room located at the near foot of the Ravenclaw Tower. Erik was carrying his violin case while Vanessa held a leather bound book, which contained sheet music for songs that she was familiar with.
Antoinette and Anatole had spoken on their behalf though Professor Aria wanted to hear them before she made any decisions. According to his father and aunt, Professor Aaralyn Aria was a strict woman who believed that if one wished to succeed that they would have to use their own two hands like everyone else.
The entrance to the music room was concealed by a portrait of several finely dressed musicians.
"Arpeggio." Erik said using the password Anatole had given him.
The conductor glared down at them before grudgingly swinging forward and allowing them entry.
The music room's design was like that of a crescent moon with all of the chairs and music stands arranged in the classic orchestra arrangement.
Professor Aria, a middle-aged woman with light brown hair and hazel eyes, was perched on the bench of the grand piano making notations on some sheet music when they approached.
She looked up from her work and removed a pair of half moon spectacles from the end of her nose.
"Well if it isn't Anatole's long lost boy and yet another member of the Le Mort brood. You are a bit early but no problem with that. Let's get to it then." Professor Aria said gruffly, "You first, Miss Le Mort. I want you to sing ocapella. Just give me your music."
Erik could see that Vanessa had bitten the inside of her cheek to stop herself from speaking as she flipped through the pages in her book but he didn't dare smirk instead he took a seat near the piano and placed his case on the floor beside him.
Vanessa quickly made her selection and relinquished the book to Professor Aria. She then quickly ran through a few breathing exercises before she began to sing. The song was sung in ancient Romanian at least that's what Erik assumed it was because even with his gift for languages he couldn't decipher the lyrics that flowed from Vanessa's mouth.
Vanessa Le Mort had been blessed with a beautiful voice. A high soprano combined with the haunting melody of her chosen song moved Erik to near tears. The song made him think of the lonely yet mystical landscapes that the song had undoubtedly originated from. Erik made a mental note to find a book about Romania and ask Vanessa to translate what she had sung.
At the conclusion of her song Vanessa humbly bowed her head and waited for Professor Aria's response. The woman nodded.
"Well done, Miss Le Mort. Maybe Professor Garron does have a brain not yet completely lost to thrill seeking. Your turn, Mr. Garron." Professor Aria commented.
Mentally smarting from Professor Aria's comments about his father, Erik took his violin case and got to his feet. Professor Aria used her wand to place a chair in front of the piano.
"There will be no music stand. I simply wish to hear how you handle the instrument. You may choose any simple piece that you are familiar with." Professor Aria added.
Erik swallowed a lump in his throat and quickly brought his violin out of its black velvet nest. After applying a good amount of rosin to the bow and tuning the violin Erik took a deep breath, laid his cheek on the cherished instrument and began to play.
If Professor Aria thought she could make him play a simple song just by not allowing him to see the music then she was about to be proven wrong. For his audition Erik chose one of his own pieces. It was a formidable piece of music meant to be the opening music for an opera he had been composing since he was a small child. Erik had come up with the title for the song long ago but the name of the opera itself still eluded him.
At the conclusion of Erik's piece, Vanessa was smiling brightly and Professor Aria favored Erik with a rare pleased smile.
"It gives me great pleasure to accept the two of you into my program. Practices will be held Monday, Wednesday, Friday though it may increase as the time of the All Hallow's Eve Ball approaches. I will accept nothing short of excellence from the both of you." Professor Aria explained before she dismissed them.
As Erik and Vanessa journeyed back to their common room Vanessa cleared her throat.
"Erik, what was that song you played? It was awfully good." Vanessa inquired.
"One of my own compositions. I call it The Point of No Return." Erik answered with a grin.