Nicconicco-Thanks for the review! Hehe I'm very glad you like it:D Elwynn-no-Hime- Woohoo you love it too! Thanks manymany. yeah i was trying to do a DHR storyline that not many people have done yet so yeah.
Also much thanks to Crazy Obsessed Writer52 and Beccasucks for your advice and following of my little story! So here we go:D
Chapter 5. Round One
The dancers quickly fell into a routine. Breakfast was served from 8am-10.30am and it was up to everyone when they wanted to take their meals. They would have time to either work out or do stretching and pilates from 10.00-1.00, it was all free reign, and after that they had lunch. At 2.00 dance class commenced and after which they practiced and learned their choreography. There would be dinner at 7.30 and after that it was up to the competitors to use their time. On the second day of dance class, wizarding cameras came round to get some footage, and they were informed they would be filmed while working on their performances. It had most of the dancers quite unnerved but they quickly got used to the idea. Also, owls arrived sporadically, bearing letters from Ron and Harry. They read as such:
Hey Mione'!
We're in Bulgaria now, learning new tricks and stuff from Krum, your ol' pal. The idiot says hi and wants you to write to him. I wouldn't have put this in but Harry made me. He threatened to fly my broomstick all the way to Hogsmeade and into the Whomping Willow- some mate. I for one am stunned that Krum could manage something other than a grunt though. Quidditch Camp is good fun, most of the chaps here are seriously skilled. Like our friend Harry who got himself hit by a bludger on the second day. Anyway, say, Malfoy dances? Who would've thought. The Great Bouncing Ferret has amazed us all once again. If he provokes you, slap him. And if he doesn't provoke you, slap him. Will watch for you on the telly-Ron
Hermione!
How're you doing over there? Just so you know, the bludger was rogue one. Busted up my arm but it healed pretty quick! Ron's having the time of his life here. It's like how he looked when we went to Zonkos for the first time, times twenty. He won himself a Silvershot 360 at Wizards Chess and now no one wants to play him anymore. Blaise and Malfoy? At your dance competition? Will wonders never cease. If only we knew that back in Hogwarts. Imagine with me. Instead of "twitchy little ferret", it could have been "twitchy little ferret in a pink tutu". The possibilities are staggering. Krum says hi, just in case Ron failed to mention it. Owl me if he didn't, forget the darn broom, I'll throw him into the whomping willow.-Harry
Time flew by and the days melded toether, and before anyone could say sherbert lemon, Round One of So You Think You Can Dance had arrived. While Draco and Ginny remained tolerant of each other, the same could not be said for Sean and Hermione, who grew progressively closer. Working on the choreography had bonded them together and Hermione had grown to rely a lot on Sean. He was like an older brother to her in many ways, and though Sean was not a passionate elf-rights activist, they still had so much in common. In learning from each other's dancing style and technique, they improved by leaps and bounds. Draco spent much of his time with Iris and Blaise. He never really saw them dance, except during classes, and he had observed that while Blaise had strong, energetic movements, he was all over the place and his technique was somewhat lacking. Iris however, had perfect form but in Draco's opinion, she never really showed much emotion. He would know. The lady showed a whole darn lot of emotion around him, coming on to him in a coquettish, coy manner that rather irritated him, reminding him very much of a certain pug faced Parkinson back in Hogwarts. Blaise was quite reticent about private matters, so they three of them never discussed the war, or their personal life, but harped on about inconsequential things and good looking girls in the competition, which included the She-Weasel and Granger, much to Draco's dismay. More than being his ex-schoolmate nemesis, Granger especially reminded him of parts of the war he'd rather forget. Blaise, on the other hand, had pretty much every reason to detest him for the traitor he was. Zabini's father had been a Death Eater that was killed in the war. However Blaise proved willing to befriend him despite his defiance to the Dark Lord, for reasons not privy to him. Draco simply assumed that Blaise's father had been slimeball and Blaise had no affection for him whatsoever. Just like Draco.
Hermione stood at her dressing table backstage. They had been in the 2,000 seater auditorium since morning, hurrying through last minute run throughs and preparations. After a quick tea, they had to rush backstage to get dressed and apply their make up. Hermione liked her costume, although it showed a tad too much skin for her taste. It was a white silky spaghetti strap dress, low cut to show a hint of cleavage and stopped mid thigh. She wore white boy shorts underneath. Well, at least she could be grateful her outfit was not like Ginny's, who was standing beside her scantily clad in a dark red strapless crop top and boy shorts, with red ribbon wrapped artistically around her chest to her waist.
"Stop turning around," Ginny snapped. "How am I supposed to apply your eyeshadow when you keep wriggling like a flobberworm in Hagrid's hut?"
Hermione sighed impatiently and turned around, closing her eyes. "I could jolly well have used magic to do all this. They have tons of useful spells in Witches Weekly."
"I didn't even know you read Witches Weekly," Ginny snorted. "And all that is rubbish. Why use magic when you have me?"
Hermione could think of several good reasons but she chose smartly not to voice them. Instead, she ran through her routine in her head, over and over and over until Ginny pronounced her finished and turned her attentions onto herself. She looked around, most of the girls had chosen to apply their make up and do their hair through magic, except Ginny, Iris and herself. Seeing that Selma, one of the nicer, less snide girls and one heck of a ballroom dancer, had a bit of trouble taming her frizzy strawberry blond hair, Hermione was about to go over and offer to lend a hand when Sean appeared.
"Absolutely stunning," he complimented, taking her by the shoulders and spinning her round in a circle.
"You don't look too bad yourself, you lady killer, you," Hermione replied in what she hoped was a offhand, teasing tone of voice, because she secretly was feeling rather self conscious.
"Well, one tries." Sean bowed gallantly, dressed in loose off white pants and an unbuttoned white shirt.
Draco and Blaise swept past them condescendingly, muttering a few choice insults. The blonde, clad in black tights and bare chested, appraised Hermione with cold eyes and his lips twisted into a sneer.
Once they had passed Sean whispered, "What's up with Malfoy? I thought the coward copped out and joined our side, so why does he still act like he's got a massive stick up his ass?"
Considering her words carefully, Hermione answered, "Well, it's either that he was an incredible coward or extremely courageous. I actually thought it made him rather brave to defy You-Know-Who. Not many people who have seen the darkness dare to walk towards the light." She frowned thoughtfully. "But sometimes I have to wonder. He still behaves pretty much the same, and was insulting and unbearable towards Harry, Ron and me even though we fought on the same side. Didn't make many friends in the Order, needless to say. I picked up some discrepancies in his character though. He has refrained from refering to me as Mudblood for one but I'm not sure whether it's cause he was afraid of Mad Eye or he had finally got off his high horse. And while he remains quite the arrogant prick, he's not that much of a cruel bully anymore. Most of the Slytherins dropped out in the seventh year because of the fall of You Know Who, so Draco wasn't really shunned or anything and the other houses soon proffered their grudging acceptance because despite it all Draco fought valiantly for us in the war. In fact he established a sort of shaky friendship with some of the ones from Ravenclaw. And us Gryffindors never really got all chummy with him but it was all right."
"You certainly have a lot to say about this! Thinking of the blonde haired git a lot huh?" Sean teased.
Hermione glared at him. "No way! He's taunted me for half my life."
"And for that I am truly sorry," Sean said honestly. "You're a marvelous witch."
Hermione smiled gratefully at him. "Thanks for the vote of confidence. You're heaping on the charm this evening aren't you. Save it for the judges, mister."
"Yes, ma'am!" Sean offered her his arm and both strode off for the last minute briefing before the show started.
After a quick summary of what was going to happen from Elphie, and getting the order of which they would be performing, everyone sat nervously in the waiting room behind in the wings, stretching and warming up. They could hear the people filing in and then Elphie hosting the entire thing. The judges was introduced, Salvoy recieving much applause, Fleur getting wolf whistled the rowdy crowd and Xavier Smith was given respectful acknowledgement. The first couple, Selma and Micheal were called up. A short video played, but Hemione and the rest of them had already gotten to see it during full dress. Hermione cringed, remembering her video. It had shown her squealing like a five year old as Sean lifted her and the very embarrassing footage of them calling each other by Stephen and Hermy. Ginny's clip had shown her and Draco arguing all the way to kingdom come and subsquently dancing sensously with each other. Then both had quickly assured the camere it was just "for show". Blaise and Iris had been draped all over each other during their turn, no one who didn't know would have guessed that Iris had eyes only for Draco.
Selma and Micheal performed their piece and were subjected to a rousing round of applause and comments from the three judges that landed them in the "quite good" category. Hermione knew though, as the the show progressed, "quite good" wouldn't cut it. Selma and Micheal joined them in the waiting room and everyone gave them a pat on the back for a job well done. It was Ginny's and Draco's turn. Hermione stood and gave her a big hug.
"You can do it!" she encouraged, taking her friend's hands in hers and squeezing them gently. Ginny looked pale and seemed like she couldn't walk out of the room, let alone dance. Hermione decided to opt for a different approach.
"Just imagine Malfoy is Harry," she said airly, and winked. It worked. Ginny's cheek flooded with colour and she growled at Hermione.
"Thank a lot, 'Mione!"
Unfortunately, Draco had overheard. "Potter huh? Potty and Little Red." He came up and slung his hand carelessly across Ginny's shoulder. Hermione looked at him scathingly and Ginny had no idea who to kill first, Hermione or Draco.
"Hands off, Malfoy," she ground out and then stalked out of the room.
"Had to get her in the zone somehow." Hermione muttered.
"Better you rile her up than me."
Hermione was startled at the sound of Malfoy's voice, devoid of the usual malice. She willed her brain to think of a reply but all she said was, "You should go."
Malfoy nodded curtly, spun on his heel and exited the room stiffly. Hermione saw him run his hand through is blonde hair, in a manner that seemed nervous and agitated. She couldn't help but smile. Guess Malfoy was human after all.
Judging from the reaction from the audience, Ginny's and Malfoy's clip evoked much amusement and laughter. Hermione wondered what Harry and Ron would make of it. She heard the music from Ginny's and Malfoy's piece come on and she watched the live feed on the small television screen. Ginny was fantastic as usual. Malfoy was elegant and sensuous in his movements, it was a slow, passionate, dance, much like Hermione's and very different from say, Selma's which was a more lively piece.
The judges gave them good reviews, including Smith, who was reluctant in doling out praise. He even cracked a hint of a smile at Draco. The audience No wonder, they were distant relatives. Anyone related to a Malfoy is physically incapable of smiling properly. Ginny and Malfoy flounced back into the room and Ginny had a beaming from ear to ear.
"Did you see me Mione! It was amazing! The whole experience was like, an out of body kinda thing!" Her previous grievance at Hermione for blurting out the H-word seemed forgotten and for that Hermione was grateful because it was her turn. Sean put his hands around her shoulder and casting a grin at the vivacious Ginny, apologised, "Sorry to steal her from you Ginny, but it's our turn!"
Sean and Hermione waited anxiously in the wings, stealing glances at each other. Their video clip had started and the audience seemed to find it funny too, laughing at the "Stephen and Hermy alter ego" part.
"Ready, Hermy?" Sean asked her.
"As I'll ever be," replied Hermione, executing a perfect arabesque. The lights dimmed, their cue to get into position. She hurried out, her heart hammering in her chest and casting about frantically in her brain, she found she couldn't remember her steps! Taking a deep breathe, she imagined herself as Hermy, bold, beautiful, and madly in love with Stephen. The music started and she opened her eyes and danced right into Stephen's waiting arms. They moved together, in tandem, their bodies twisting and turning and spinning around each other in a gentle cloud of white. They were lost in movement, lost in each other. The music faded, and Stephen and Hermy ceased to be. Hermione distangled herself from Stephen's arms, and smiled ruefully. Sean grabbed her hand and they walked forward together. Elphie grinned at the pair and handed the time over to the judges. Fleur went first.
"Zat' was wonderful, darling. Amazing! Your technique eez impeccable, both of you. I was impressed. However I thought zat' you two could dance more...together...more as one. You lack, what is the word?"
"Chemistry," Smith replied curtly. "Good dancing, but I think that the two of you lack chemistry."
"And I think the two of them, are bonkers. Sean, Hermione, you guys were simply stupendous." Salvoy enthusiastically put in to the agreement of the audience.
"Well," Elphie laughed and looked straight at the camera, "The judges had their say, but it's your turn to vote! If you want Sean and Hermione to go on to the next round, owl in your votes!"
Exiting to a round of thunderous applause, Hermione felt as if she was walking on air. Ginny was right. To dance and to dance well, was a sensational feeling. She entered the waiting room, and Ginny was the first to congratulate her, throwing her arms around her and squealing excitedly. The rest of the evening passed by in a blur, dancers going in and out of the waiting room, some coming back with broad grins, Blaise and Iris included, and others with disappointed looks and a few shed tears. Finally, all the owls were in and the results were tallied. They were called out to center stage where the first elimination round began.
Hermione was a bundle of nervous, clutching Ginny's and Sean's hands. They stood on either side of her as Elphie talked with a solemn face about how the votes were in and how one person was about to leave the competition.
"If I call your name please step out. Selma and Micheal. Ginny and Draco. Kate and Marcus. Iris and Blaise. Hermione and Sean."
Hermione stepped out of the line with the rest, her face a mask of calm but her tummy was host to a multitude of butterflies.
"If I have called your name, you are safe."
With an audible sigh of relief, Hermione walked to the left side of the stage with the other few pairs, sharing a triumphant look with Sean and Ginny. Next time she'd top it.
"Those of you who remain are the ones with the highest, and lowest scores. Galinda and Wesley," Elphie paused for dramatic effect, "You two have managed to garner the highest amount of votes, congratulations."
Their faces lit up and they gave each other a big bear hug. Hermione watched them and felt genuine happiness on their behalf. They worked really hard in class.
However as Elphie started speaking again, the mood once again shifted to serious and solemn. Ginny and Hermione felt very apprehensive, as their friend Parvati was on the chopping block.
"Parvati and Roy would you please step forward." They did, with blank looks on their faces. The tension in the room could have been cut with a knife.
"You have received the lowest amount of votes. I am sorry to say, but you have been eliminated. Which means Ferine and Eugene, you are safe."
Parvati's face fell and Hermione's vision blurred with a sudden onslaught of tears. Ginny walked forward quickly and enveloped Parvati in a hug, Hermione was quick to follow suit. The three girls were a mess of tears and make up. They were barely aware of the rest coming around to offer similar condolences.
Elphie met them in the Meeting Place. "I know this has been a long day for all of you," she said understandingly, "And it's honestly very sad to see Parvati and Roy go." Parvati and Roy had packed and apparated quite quickly after the show ended. Hermione doubted they wanted to linger around anyway. Elphie continued, "But before you head back to your rooms to get some well deserved rest, I have to drop another bombshell." She smiled apologetically, "Blame the producers, not me."
Hermione suddenly noticed that the camera's were rolling and they were being filmed as she had been too tired to be really that much aware of her surroundings before. She was experiencing conflicting emotions, glad that she was still around, sad that Parvati had to leave, filled with dread at this impending "bombshell", but too sleepy to honestly care. Supposing that everything would sink in after she had a nice bath and long rest, she turned her attention to Elphie.
"We were to be nice to you the first round of competition. You notice that we gave you contemporary dance, something that most of you are fairly strong in as it is one of the basics. Also, during dance class you must have realised your partner's dancing style is similar or identical to yours, majoring in the same things you do. Well..." Elphie paused to look at the camera with wide a solemn expression, "We're going to shake things up a bit. Please look at your black ribbons to see what dance style you will be dancing for next week and..." she trailed off and looked at them with an odd expression on her face, "Your new partners."
All at once Hermione was a lot more awake than she had been 5 seconds ago. She raised her wand and cried, "Accio ribbon!"
Fourteen black ribbons flew past the hallway door and into the Meeting Place, and one landed in Hermione's outstretched hand. Glancing around, she saw that Ginny's was quite pleased. She must have gotten someone else other than Draco, Hermione assumed. She then looked at Sean and shrugged sadly. He had been a great partner and she would miss dancing with him. Perhaps she'd have more "chemistry" or whatever that Smith said, with her new partner. She glanced down at her ribbon. Inscribed in the same flowing, loopy golden script it read:
"Lyrical hip hop. Draco Malfoy."
A/N: Hehe, I'm leaving you with that! Please read and review, reviews make my day seriously! Also I'll try to update soon, look forward to more Hermione Draco action! And if you're interested in Sean's and Hermione's performance, its actually based to the BBC's version of SYTYCD, No Air by Lizzie and Alastair. I'll post the link on my profile. Grins.