Camp Hogwarts Challenge Collection

Camp Dumbledore

Singing- Write about being a member of the toad choir (100 points)

Chapter 6 - Singing

It was, by far, the oddest thing she had ever witnessed the first time she had watched the Toad Choir preform.

As a young, muggleborn witch, freshly introduced to entirely new world, Alexia had thought she would have adjusted to being continuously surprised. But the choir was a highly unusual event in an even more unusual setting. When eleven-year-old Alexia had approached one of her older Ravenclaw classmates in order to obtain a better understanding, she found herself intrigued.

After several weeks of interrogating student members of the choir, it was a Gryffindor sixth year prefect that decided that, maybe, it was time that she just approach her Head of House who she had seen leading the choir at each of the events that they had performed. Disappointed with the lack of progress she had managed through her classmates, Alexia capitulated and promptly scheduled an appointment.

"Miss Dalia, please come in," Professor Flitwick beckoned. The tiny witch did as told and took a seat in the proffered chair on the opposite side of the desk. "What can I help you with today?"

"Sir, I've been asking around about the Toad Choir," Alexia began.

"Ah yes, I have heard of your recent quest for information," the professor nodded. "I trust you've found the answers to your questions?"

"Yes, most of them, sir," Alexia confirmed. "I am very intrigued by the whole concept and I am curious as to how I might join?"

And so begun Alexia's training as the newest member of Hogwarts' Toad Choir.

The first, and most important, step in her training was obtaining a toad. She had never been particularly fond of reptiles or amphibians but she forced herself to ignore her slightly squeamish discomfort.

It was to her great disappointment that she was unable to participate in the first scheduled presentation of the term. While a large part of her fully understood that she was simply still too new and untried to participate, she was quite eager to put her practice into action.

When the second event came about, Alexia and Todd-her toad-were ready. Unfortunately, that enthusiasm was her downfall when she took a tumble down the stairs when the choir was getting into position. Alexia awoke in the Hospital Wing the morning after with a rather large knot on her head and a very unhappy but thankfully unharmed toad. Not to mention a bit of scorn from the fellow choir member that she had managed to knock down in her excitement. Or the teasing she had received once she had been released. It would be quite some time before she managed to live down that incident.

The third event was on Halloween. Once again, Alexia found herself as an occupant of the Hospital Wing and unable to participate. Having fallen victim to what had become an annual Halloween tradition of setting first years up for various pranks, Alexia was not only disappointed but extremely uncomfortable. She didn't care if that third year Gryffindor swore that it was only temporary, he had better never speak of it again. How mortifying to constantly miss events due to being trapped in a bed.

The fourth event of the term came just before the Christmas holidays and Alexia was late. Not just a little late but late to the point where the rest of the choir would be getting into position already. With a panicked burst of energy, she sprinted through the castle and into the Great Hall just in time to perch into an edge position a bit more than slightly out of breath but beaming with happy excitement toward the rest of the school's population. She pointedly ignored the weary and exasperated looks that she was receiving from her fellow members. She also ignored that the person next to her braced for impact when she approached. Eventually they might let her live down her first…incident.

The tiny Charms Professor and Head of Ravenclaw took his position in front of the Choir and raised his wand in preparation to begin the show. The human elements of the choir took a deep breath simultaneously, with Alexia's just slightly late. With a sharp flick of his wand, the choir began their show. Alexia grinned and put her all into her first performance.

When the choir's presentation came to an end, the student body applauded appreciatively. Alexia beamed and bounced on her toes with the excess adrenaline and excitement giving her an amazing high. She pointedly ignored the flush working over her ears, neck and face. She ignored and disregarded the fact that she was holding Todd just a little too snuggly.

Todd the toad performed admirably that day and Alexia was ecstatic.

He had only gone off key a few times.

And Alexia hit almost every note.

And they weren't very noticeable.

At least she hoped.

Who was she kidding, she and Todd were done for.

Cringing inwardly, she brushed that thought process to the back of her mind for the time being and forced her grin to look significantly less strained. As the choir left the stage, Alexia decided that maybe just because it was interesting didn't mean that she had to tie herself to it. Maybe the hospital wing visits should have been taken as a sign. Resigning herself to talk to Professor Flitwick in the morning, Alexia rushed away before anyone could possibly tease her any further.

Story Word count 901