Chapter Seven

Demanding Rightful Admiration

Draco Malfoy was grinning like a clown.

Vin and Greg gaped at their fearless leader. The blonde leaned over and said, "Great job, guys! And you really wowed them with the Lightning Strikes! Nice touch."

The pair blushed furiously and turned to the stage where Seamus had again positioned himself in the center.

"Ladies and gents, a big hand for Vincent and Gregory," said Seamus waving a hand in their direction. The crowd applauded, and several people, even non-Slytherins, cheered loudly. Draco clapped Vin on the back, as he was closer. Then Seamus held up his hands.

"And now, another group from my House. Please put your hands together for our trio of beautiful Chasers, Miss Angelina Johnson, Miss Alicia Spinnet and Miss Katie Bell!" Seamus clapped enthusiastically himself as the three girls stepped up to the stage. He stepped to the side and grinned at the trio until Angelina leaned over and whispered to him.

"It's okay now. You can get off the stage."

"Oh!" Seamus came out of his reverie. "Right you are." He clambered off the stage and back to his seat. The three seventeen-year-olds onstage shook their heads, smiling. They positioned themselves in a line, Alicia on the left, Katie in the middle and Angelina on the right. Then they clapped in succession down the line, from Alicia to Angelina. With each clap, the clapping girl's robes disappeared and were replaced by a new outfit. Alicia was in tight khaki-colored capri pants. Katie had long khakis. And Angelina was wearing a knee-length khaki skirt. Each girl was wearing the same black baby-doll tee shirt with a small lion's head embroidered in the center of her chest in red and gold, white ankle socks and white, thick-soled tennis shoes. Katie whipped out her wand and circled it above her head.

Then Alicia took a step forward and to the center. Behind her, Katie and Angelina had their elbows bent, hands fisted and were swinging their arms back and forth in front of them. Every other sway, they would clap quietly and switch sides. They sang Alicia's back-up.

(ooo)

Alicia pointed out to the crowd.

What you want,

(ooo)

She gestured to herself, Angelina and Katie.

Baby we got it!

Several of the boys in the crowd apparently liked the sound of that and started catcalling.

(ooo)

What you need,

(ooo)

You know we got it!

(ooo)

She grinned broadly as the whoops continued.

All we're askin'

(ooo)

Is for a little respect when we beat you!

Angelina and Katie stopped their swaying and held up one hand with their fingers posed like they were about to pinch someone.

(Just a little bit!)

Hey Baby!

(Just a little bit!)

When we beat you!

(Just a little bit!)

Yeah boys!

(Just a little bit!)

Applause rang out for Alicia as she stepped to the right of Angelina and Katie stepped forward now. Angelina and Alicia resumed the swaying and clapping as Katie sang.

Ain't gonna do you good

To treat us wrong

Katie shook her head.

Ain't gonna do you good

(ooo)

Katie flexed her arm and showed off an impressive muscle that one could only get from Quidditch. That got a load of hoots as well.

'Cause we're too damn strong!

(ooo)

She held out her arms, indicating that she was speaking about her fellow singers.

All we're askin'

(ooo)

Is for a little respect when we beat you!

The Back-Up girls stopped the swaying again and made the same hand signal as they sang.

(Just a little bit!)

Baby!

(Just a little bit!)

When we beat you!

(Just a little bit!)

Yeah!

(Just a little bit!)

Katie stepped back again, next to Alicia and Angelina stepped forward to cheers for Katie and herself. Katie joined Alicia in swaying and clapping.

We're not gonna give you

She put her hands on top of her chest, over her heart.

All our loving.

She put her hands on her hips.

Till you give us

What we know is comin'!

Just give us the respect that we deserve

(Just a-Just a-Just a-Just a-)

Yeah baby

(Just a-Just a-Just a-Just a-)

When we beat you

(Just a little bit!)

Yeah

(Just a little bit!)

A musical interlude started and the girls snapped once, all together. Three chairs appeared on the stage as the girls ran out into the audience and separated. Katie grabbed Terry Boot, the new Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain. Angelina grabbed Ernie Macmillan, the Hufflepuff Captain. And Alicia grabbed Draco, Slytherin's Captain. The three girls and three captains, being drug by their wrists, climbed to the stage. Each girl sat their attached Captain in a chair. Alicia plopped herself on a very surprised Draco's lap, her feet hanging off to his right side and her arms draped loosely around his neck. The other two girls sat on their stolen captain's lap in the same fashion. Alicia's cue came and she started singing to the boy underneath her. The other two girls grinned at the boys under them, turning their heads toward the audience for their back-up parts.

Oooh, your taunting,

(ooo)

Alicia shook her head at Draco.

It's really not funny.

(ooo)

She poked him in the chest.

Guess what?

(ooo)

She shook her head again and waved dismissively.

It won't hurt us honey!

(ooo)

All we want you to do for us

(ooo)

Is give it up when we beat you!

The three girls stood up from the boys' laps and grinned. They walked around behind the boys.

(Re-re-re-re)

Yeah baby!

(Re-re-re-re)

Give it to us!

(Respect!)

When we beat you!

Katie and Angelina leaned over Terry and Ernie's shoulders and made the same hand sign.

(Just a little bit!)

Now

(Just a little bit!)

The two girls straightened. Katie, who was in the middle again, pointed her wand above her head and letters flowed out as all three sang together.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Screw with us and you will see!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

The three girls crossed their arms and leaned together, Katie in the middle, and Alicia and Angelina on either side, facing out.

Be good to the Gryffie Three!

Katie grinned and sang the main part as Alicia and Angelina sang the harmonies. She smirked at the boys as she sauntered slowly across the stage in front of the boys.

Oh!

(Sock it to me! Sock it to me! Sock it to me! Sock it to me!)

A little respect!

(Sock it to me! Sock it to me! Sock it to me! Sock it to me!)

Whoa babe!

(Just a little bit!)

A little respect!

(Just a little bit!)

All the time,

(Just a little bit!)

Keep on tryin'!

(Just a little bit!)

Angelina grinned as she took over the lead. She followed Katie's path in the opposite direction.

You screw with us, fools,

(Just a little bit!)

And you'll be cryin'!

(Just a little bit! Re-re-re-re)

Stop!

(Re-re-re-re)

When we beat you!

(Respect!)

Or you'll be sorry!

(Just a little bit)

We'll hurt you!

(Just a little bit)

The three girls ended behind the boys' chairs again. On the last beat of the music, they all struck poses. Alicia stood with her hands straight up above her head. Katie and Angelina threw their innermost arms above their heads and put the other arm out the their sides. The entire hall erupted in cheers, hoots and catcalls. Alicia snapped with each hand and the boys and their chairs disappeared from the stage. The Quidditch captains appeared again in their original seats, utterly baffled by the performance they had somehow become a part of. The three Gryffindor girls walked back to their seats grinning happily,

and surrounded by thundering applause.

~*~TBC~*~