Chapter 10: Masks
*****
There was a pale, blonde girl sitting on a quite ordinary stool as the curtains opened. She looked a little nervous, but the music started and she began to sing.
You with the sad eyes
don't be discouraged
oh I realize
it's hard to take courage
in a world full of people
you can lose sight of it all
and the darkness inside you
can make you feel so small…
Her voice strengthened as she continued- becoming even more confident. She had a pleasant voice that was well suited to her song.
And I'll see your true colors
shining through
I see your true colors
and that's why I love you
so don't be afraid to let them show
your true colors
true colors are beautiful
like a rainbow[1]
By the end she had become quite enthusiastic and the audience was responding in kind. They applauded loudly as she bowed, and then the curtains fell.
*****
This time, as the curtains rose, the stage appeared empty. As the music began, a man stepped out of the shadows and began to dance. He was soon joined by a woman and together they performed a rather complicated, latin inspired dance routine. As they twisted and turned their way around the stage, the obvious fun they were having drew in the crowd who began clapping along to the music.
As their song came to an end, the audience saw the woman give her partner a rather cheeky grin, nod slightly to him and step back into the shadows to allow him to take his bows.
*****
The curtain opened this time to reveal a tall, slender, attractive red headed girl perched on a stool. In her hands, she held what appeared to be a carved wooden flute that, as the audience stilled, she began to play.
Starting out soft and slow, she began to quicken her pace. Her foot tapped in time with the music and her eyes, behind her mask, were sparkling.
By the time she finished, most of the audience was clapping along with her playing. Her face was slightly flushed with happiness as she grinned out into the crowd. She gave them a cocky salute then exited the stage to the sound of applause.
*****
The next several acts included an amazing dance performance by a female student, two different vocal performances by a male and female student and an Indian dance performance by two dark haired females.
*****
There was a slightly longer delay before the next performance started, but not enough to allow the audience to get restless. As the curtain rose, they could see a shadowy male figure at the back of the stage. The music started and he walked forward and began to sing.
Over and over I look in your eyes
You are all I desire, you have captured me
I want to hold you I want to be close to you
I never want to let go…
He was soon joined by a female, also coming from out of the shadows, though she seemed to retain some of them even in the brightness of the spotlight overhead.
Over and over I've dreamed of this night
Now you're here by my side, you are next to me
I want to hold you, to touch you and taste you
And make you want no one but me…[2]
Together, they sang a duet. As the song drew to a close, the woman turned to her partner and he took her hand in his. She curtseyed to him as he raised her hand to his lips and gave it a light kiss. Smiling slightly, she backed away into the shadows and he turned back to the audience to take his bow.
*****
Three more acts followed, a female singer, a jazz group and another female singer who quite brought down the house with her version of a popular muggle song from several years back.
*****
The curtains opened on the last performance of the show. As had happened in the past, the stage was empty, but as the music began the audience saw four figures approaching the spot light.
There were gasps from some in the audience, and a few whistles too, as four attractive females sashayed their way into the light- a blonde, two brunettes and a red head. They were all dressed in identical low-cut, strapless scarlet dresses with two slits up the sides and high heels. It wasn't a look often seen at Hogwarts and you could tell by the smirks on their faces that they were enjoying the attention.
As the red head strutted forward and began to sing, the audience quieted down and sat back to enjoy the show.
Many say that I'm too young
to let you know just where I'm coming from, yeah
But you will see it's just a matter of time
my love will surely make you mine
…
I'm giving him something he can feel
To let him know this love is real
…
So much joy for us it seems
So much hope for material things
Are they only in my dreams?
…
And that's exactly why I'm singing this song to you
To let you know that real dreams do come true
You tell me what does it mean.[3]
They took turns, each singing lead for different parts of the song while the others sang back up and performed a rather seductive and loosely choreographed dance.
They ended their performance to thunderous applause. They stood there, smiling out at the audience and gracefully accepting the appreciation they'd earned. After a minute or two they gave a slight nod to the crowd, as anything else might be a bit too revealing in the dresses they were wearing, and walked back into the shadows, hips swaying, and arms around each other's waists.
*****
With the curtains down again, Professor McGonagall walked out onto the stage and into the spotlight, effectively cutting off the loud conversations that had immediately broken out. "I hope you have all enjoyed the… varied assortment of performances you have seen tonight. I want to thank you all for the comments and scores you have been submitting throughout. Professor Vector is currently tallying the results and we will soon be ready to announce the final scores. In the mean time we will have one last performance, which is not part of the talent show, from one of my co-sponsors, Miss Roane." She gave a quick nod to someone off stage and, with a slightly trepidatious look on her face, she walked off stage again.
Alinora was back out on stage for what felt like the hundredth time that evening. She was dressed in her normal casual attire of capri's and a t-shirt, with her hair loose around her shoulders. While looking forward to this performance, she was still a bit nervous about it, as it was the most personal of the ones she'd been involved with so far this evening.
With her back to the watching audience, she quickly knelt down and placed a small stone on the floor and transfigured it into a rocky boulder, such as those found along the coast line. With her wand, she dimmed the spot light above her head then, putting away her wand; she sat down on the rock and pulled her knees up to her chest. With her head bowed to her knees, and the music of her song beginning around her, she quietly spoke the charms she'd readied for this performance.
At her words, the area around the stage became over-layed with a slightly transparent view of what appeared to be a coastline. Waves appeared to be crashing around them with the stage becoming the shoreline- rocks, like the one Alinora was sitting on, protruded from the water. A breeze, smelling faintly like the sea, began to blow through the room. As it reached where Alinora was sitting, she raised her head to it and let it blow through her hair. As it did it her hair grew- it was now waist length and very wavy. Her eyes were shining very brightly, as if with unshed tears, and her skin had suddenly lost its tan. She smiled out at the audience, but not as though she saw them. She was looking at the view she had created, staring as if she hoped to see something among the waves.
Then she began to sing.
night
time falls, raindrops splash rainbows
perhaps someone you know, could sparkle and shine
as daydreams slide to colour from shadow
picture the moonglow, that dazzles my eyes
and I love you
. . .
dream of sights, of sleigh rides in seasons
where feelings not reasons, can make you decide
as leaves pour down, splash autumn on gardens
as colder nights harden, their moonlit delights
and I love you
. . .
look at me with starry eyes
push me up to starry skies
there's stardust in my head
pure and simple every time
fresh and deep as oceans new
shiver at the sight of you
I'll sing a softer tune
pure and simple over you...
. . .
if love's the truth then look no lies
and let me swim around your eyes
I've found a place I'll never leave
shut my mouth and just believe
love is the truth I realize
not a stream of pretty lies
to use us up and waste our time...[4]
The music ended and she seemed to realize where she was again. Smiling at everyone, she stood and turned to change her seat back to its original form, placing the stone in her pocket. Her illusions faded as she walked off stage and the students began to applaud. McGonagall passed her, patting her shoulder lightly and smiling in a slightly relieved manner, as she joined Flitwick, who was approaching from the other side of the stage. Together, they addressed the crowd.
"As you might have noticed, had you cared to look, your programs have now updated to show exactly who performed tonight. We would like to thank all of the students who participated. They all did wonderful jobs and worked very hard to put this together. Because of that hard work, they will each be awarded 20 points toward their houses. This includes Eleanor Branstone of Hufflepuff who unfortunately became ill and Madam Pomfrey would not allow to perform."
McGonagall continued, "As you know, you'd been requested to rate the performances as they went and add comments as well… The comments have been interesting to say the least and I'm sure they will be very…" she struggled to find the right word, "appreciated by your classmates. Now, here are the top three scoring acts."
Flitwick stepped forward and pulled out a list from his coat pocket. "There were two acts that tied for third place. They are Ginny Weasley of Gryffindor for her performance on the flute and Graham Pritchard of Slytherin for his vocal performance." Both walked out on stage, Ginny again flashed her cocky grin and saluted the audience. Flitwick continued, "In second place, we have Sonja Moon of Ravenclaw for her vocal performance." He paused briefly for her to join them on stage and for the applause to die away again. "And in first place, we have Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, Katie Bell and Alinora Roane, all of Gryffindor, for their quite… inspiring vocal performance."
There was a brief moment of shock as their names were announced and they walked out on stage, once again in their red dresses. Then, the audience went wild. While the applause and cheers were loudest from the Gryffindors, it wasn't limited to them- the Ladies had made quite an impression.
As the applause died down, the rest of the evening's participants made their way out onto the stage, masks off and grinning broadly. It was an interesting assortment that represented each of the houses and most of the seven years currently at Hogwarts.
"Once again, I would like to say thank you to all who participated tonight and to our Stage Manager, Alinora Roane, for all the hard work that went into making tonight the success it was. Thank you all for coming. Now, as it is very late, if you would kindly make your way back to your halls…?"
Slowly, the students began to make their way out of the Great Hall and the staff began to restore it to its former appearance. The students in the show gathered up their belongings and headed out as well. Katie had asked Alinora if she should wait for her, but Alinora had smiled and told her to go on- she wouldn't be there too much longer.
Alinora finished her part of the clean up and gathered her belongings, tossing them into her school bag to deal with later when she wasn't quite so tired. Looking around she spotted Professor McGonagall and headed towards her.
"I think I'll be heading back to the hall if you're done with me here."
McGonagall nodded and smiled at her. "You did a wonderful job tonight. We're very proud. Now, go get some sleep. You did say that was what you were looking forward to most after this was over, wasn't it?"
Alinora grinned tiredly and slowly turned to head towards the door. Flitwick stopped her. "Are you sure you'll make it back okay? You do look very tired."
"I'll make sure she gets back okay Professors" a voice called from the far end of the room and they turned to see George Weasley making his way towards them. "I thought she might need a hand."
McGonagall gave him a searching look then smiled slightly. "That would be very kind of you Mr. Weasley. I trust that you will both go directly back to the hall and not make any unnecessary stops along the way." With that, she turned away and walked back towards the teacher's table where Professor Dumbledore was standing.
George took Alinora's bag from her and slung it over his shoulder. Putting his arm around her shoulder, he turned to lead her out of the hall. Before going too far though, Alinora stopped and turned back towards where McGonagall was standing talking to Dumbledore. "Professor McGonagall!" she called. McGonagall turned and looked at her questioningly. "So, did I pass?"
McGonagall smiled, "Yes, you did, with flying colors Miss Roane. Now please, go to bed."
Alinora grinned, then turned back and left the hall with George.
[1] Lyrics from Cyndi Lauper, True Colors
[2] Lyrics from Enrique Iglesias & Whitney Houston, Could I Have This Kiss Forever
[3] Lyrics from En Vogue, Giving Him Something He Can Feel
[4] Lyrics from The Lightning Seeds, Pure
