Well, this little story slipped right out of my mind...and then when I checked my e-mail and found a review...it slipped right back in. Alas, it is difficult to pick up the pieces when you've left it hanging for a while, so I will try my best to continue.
Chapter 3
"Well, students, as you have heard, this is Raoul. Raoul will be directing you in this production. Professor Snape and I will now leave you to it," McGonagall said as she left the Great Hall with Snape, still simmering, close behind.
"So, this is what I'm given to work with?" Raoul said surveying the various members of the team, "I've seen better."
"Excuse me, sir?" Helena said, signaling to Raoul, "Hi, I'm Helena Locke, Head Prefect of - "
"Silence!" Raoul thundered.
"Silence, yes, silence is good," Helena said stepping away with her hands up, as if to surrender.
"Now, let us have a look at this cast," Raoul said, summoning a cast list from the air, "Hmm...Marcus Flint?" Marcus stood up and sauntered over to the middle of the Great Hall where Raoul was standing.
"Hmm...turn around," Raoul said to Marcus, as he made mental notes, "Yes, nice build...good calves. Could you smile for me, Marcus?" Marcus smiled to reveal a lovely set of crooked, chipped and discolored teeth.
"Oh my giddy aunt!" exclaimed Raoul, "You kiss your mother with that mouth!"
"Uh, yes, my mother as well as many others of the female kind," Flint said with a wink towards the Gryffindor chasers, earning some whooping from the Slytherin side.
"Well, I suppose there's nothing we can do about it now, we must take you naturally since Dumbledore told me I can't change you physically...only mentally," Raoul said, with a sigh, "He kept bringing up that incident in which I gave everyone a Polyjuice Potion so they all looked like me...as if the world wouldn't want to. Right, well...can you take off your shirt for me?"
"Now wait just a minute!" Helena said sternly, "There will be no removal of clothing under my watch, that is somehow against the rules."
"Shut it, Locke," Flint said grabbing the bottom edges of his sweater and pulling it over his head to reveal a cut figure complete with a six pack.
"Why, I never..." Helena said, scoffing at Flint's disrespect for rules.
"Well, if your teeth looked like the rest of your body, we'd have a hot man in the show," Raoul said, giving Flint a once over, "Lucky for me, I mean, the ladies, you aren't wearing a shirt for much of this show. Therefore, we're going to try method acting with you, Flint. You should get used to walking around without a shirt."
"Wow, d'you think Wood's got a body like that?" Angelina whispered to Katie.
"I'd doubt it. I've heard Slytherin Quidditch players have the best bodies in the school," Katie replied.
"I'm sure it's not all because of Quidditch," Alicia said, laughing.
"Why, Ms. Spinnet, was that implying that Slytherin Quidditch players do....other things to keep them fit?" Katie said, pretending to be shocked.
"Well, I'm just applying something I read in CosmoWitch, about the amount of calories a certain something burns per hour. A certain something those quidditch boys are notorious for loving," Alicia said.
"Well, it's good to see you reading something of use," Angelina said jokingly.
"Hmm..don't move, Marcus. Let's see...opposite you is, uh, Katie Bell!" Raoul shouted towards the Gryffindor side. Katie walked up and stood a body's length away from the still shirtless Flint.
"Now, now, don't be shy. You and Marcus will have to stand much closer than that during the actual show," Raoul said, gesturing Katie stand next to Marcus.
"Yes, but do we have to start now," Katie said, disdainfully looking at Flint.
"Yes, Bell, no time like the present, right?" Marcus said, giving her a flirty look.
"Well, now...you two make a cute couple," Raoul said aloud, and followed it by muttering, "If only those damn teeth were fixed. Let's see, oh joy, Helena Locke!"
"Your sarcasm isn't appreciated, Raoul," Helena said, with an almost disgusted look on her face.
"Not appreciated for now, but you'll be happy for it later on down the line," Raoul said, walking around her, doing his usual surveying.
"You know, Raoul, I"ve got real issues with this script," Helena said, pointing accusingly at Raoul, "You do realize that it's totally unrealisitic. First off, a relationship between Katie and Marcus? Out of the question. Secondly, Marcus's father has no control over what happens here at Hogwarts, this includes who is on or off the quidditch teams. Oh, yes, and another issue: oh, no! Please, don't make me choose between Quidditch and true love! Ah! What a tough choice! Honestly, no one's ever died because they crossed house lines."
"Well, Ms. Locke, your 'issues' have been taken into consideration," Raoul said, "Firstly, this is theatre, it doesn't need be realistic. Secondly, this is theatre, Marcus's father now has control over all happenings at Hogwarts. Thirdly, this is theatre, it's supposed to be dramatic, people are now going to die because they cross house lines."
"Very well, I see the answer to all my questions is 'this is theatre'," Helena said, mocking Raoul. Raoul nodded and began to call up the rest of the cast and surveying them individually.
"Well, I feel there is much potential in this cast," Raoul said, smiling, "I've never directed a horrible show and I'm not about to start now, so I want you all to go to wherever you go, and read over the script and get a good feel for your character. We begin rehearsing, tomorrow!"