Chapter 2: Audition
Harry and Ron watched apprehensively as Ginny and Hermione stretched outside the auditioning hall. It was two weeks after the girls had submitted their applications and both had been called up to attend auditions. Ron and Harry had enthusiastically agreed to come support them. It was the least they could do, they explained, for all the times they came for their Quidditch matches back at Hogwarts, rain or shine. They were now waiting in an adjoining room to the dance hall. Girls and guys alike had came and went, some brandishing their acceptance letter like a victory flag, some leaving dejectedly and some threatening to hex the judges into oblivion despite the fact that it would obviously be, for most of them, underage magic. The number of people in the room quickly dwindled, and it seemed like Hermione and Ginny were going to be the last two to audition.
"Bloody hell, Hermione looks freaky. How can girls do splits like that," Ron muttered. Harry nodded fervently, and opened his mouth to reply when the double doors leading to the dance hall opened and the 3 judges strolled in. First was a tall regal looking wizard in midnight blue robes, his hair slightly graying. All of their eyes widened as they registered the man, Xavier Smith, a relative of the Blacks and well known for being intimidating and very hard to please. After the war, he had been taken in for questioning and it was proved that he had remained neutral during the war, and had not taken on the dark mark. The next to walk in was a young, dynamic man a little on the shorter side. Ron and Harry looked at him blankly, but Ginny and Hermione recognised him as Purvis Salvoy, a famed dancer turned show producer. Last of all, waltzing in was a slender witch with blonde hair pulled back into a loose bun.
"Fleur?" Ron was first to choke out.
"Ohhh Ron! Arry'! Oh look and Ron's leetle sister and her friend." the dazzling woman cried. Harry and Ron grinned foolishly, especially when Fleur swooped down and kissed their cheeks.
Hermione questioned, a little put out, "Fleur? You're a judge on this show?"
Before Fleur could answer, Purvis Salvoy stepped forward to shake everyone's hands heartily."Pleasure, pleasure to meet you! Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron and Ginny Weasely! What an honor to meet the Boy Who Lived, the Golden Trio and of course, to you too, Miss Weasely! How absolutely spiffing to meet all of you. I suppose you two boys aren't trying out are you, being such good Quidditch players, never had an affinity for the sport myself. Ah, Miss Granger and Miss Weasely, I was thrilled, simply thrilled when I received your applications, I knew at once you would be a wonderful addition to the show..."
Hermione frowned slightly and Ginny asked, "Mr Salvoy, we are going to audition right? Being accepted by merit-"
"Yes, Ms Weasely and Ms Granger. I daresay Ms Delacour and Mr Salvoy were getting ahead of themselves, were they not," Xavier Smith drawled, immediately drawing everyone's attention to him. "You will be auditioned, and yes you will get in by merit, although these two seem most eager to accept you two ladies already, I assure you I will judge you two impartially and once the competition starts, they will too." He took out his wand and waved it, and the double doors opened again, revealing a massive, regal looking hall. "Please," he waved them inside.
"Yes and we all know how fair you are. Accepting a contestant that failed to turn up for audition" Harry and Ron overheard Mr Salvoy grumble and were unpleasantly surprised. Nevertheless they wished the two girls good luck and went to sit down in the plush padded seats in the hall. Furtively, Harry tapped a wall with his wand and muttered " Specialis Revelio." He discovered that the hall was covered in Anti Cheating charms ranging from adding flexibility ones movements to a stealth sensory spell. The boys settled down just as the music started and Ginny started to dance. She performed it flawlessly and Harry and Ron straightened in pride. There was no doubt, impartiality or not, that Ginny was going to join the competition.
Backstage, Hermione was doing small plies. She listened in, Fleur and Salvoy waxing eloquent on Ginny's flowing movements and Xavier Smith's grudging acceptance of her friend. She grinned, happy for Ginny but at the same time her nerves were making her jittery and her hands were shaking. Taking deep calming breaths and translating Ancient Runes in her head, as she was wont to do when nervous, she walked onstage. She started to introduce her but Purvis Salvoy interupted her grinning. "There's no need for that is there! We know you, you know us, we can all go to Florean Fortescue's later for ice cream, which will be your last one for the duration of the competition, mind. Don't look so nervous darling, we won't eat you. Go on, go on, start!"
Hermione pointedly avoided Xavier Smith's stony expression and focused on her dancing. Her music came on and she immersed herself in the familiarity of the dance. The movements came easily to her and her body melded into the perfect expression of fluidity and sharpness. Then, the dance ended and the music slowly faded. Hermione straightened up and Fleur exclaimed "Zat was excellent! Seems to me zat we can let her in based on merit." Xavier ignored that pointed jab and his face remained as impassive as ever as he only nodded.
"Its settled then!" Salvoy insisted. "You're in. Now, how about some ice cream. You and Harry and Ron and Ginny can tell me about Hogwarts and how its like now! Fleur, you coming?"
"Is it appropriate for us to lunch with a judge?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"Oh it isn't lunch, its past 3 and the competition hasn't started yet, so it won't pose a problem. Aren't you a right Gryffindor, with all that doing the right thing with honor and responsibility going on. I myself was in Ravenclaw... Hermione," he said fairly seriously, catching the dubious look on her face, " We are judges and you can trust we can be fair and, ahem, impartial." Fleur sniggered and the three of them looked around for the third judge, but Xavier Smith, it seemed, had already taken leave of them.
"Well," Salvoy said. "He's always been a rather quiet chap, hasn't he Fleur. Not much fun to be around. Gloomy fellow. Anyway, let's go join the rest of your friends now." Hermione and Fleur followed behind as he strode ahead through the double doors muttering, "Ice cream with Harry Potter. The Boy Who Lived! Harry Potter and the Golden Trio! Oh what would my mother say."
Fleur rolled her eyes. "Ee' is like a leetle boy." Hermione laughed, surprised at otherwise charming and reserved witch's expression of distaste. At that moment Harry, Ron and Ginny overwhelmed her with congratulations and hugs.
Also at that moment, a good many miles away, Draco Malfoy sat, arrogant in his assurance of a place in the competition despite his failure to attend the auditions. Because although his Malfoy status and fortune could not buy happiness, it sure as hell could get him everything else.
AN: Hehe so whaddaya think! REVIEW AND TELL ME. Sorry, the next chapter will have tons more of Draco Malfoy in it. This chap was a little dull for me to write but now comes the fun stuff! Next chapter, Draco and Hermione meet in the competition!