Chapter 11

Lucky Charm

December was hectic to put it bluntly. The amount of homework seemed to have risen and the new piece for the Hogwarts orchestra was driving me mental. My flute would not cooperate. Every time I blew into it for one note, I could not hit it and it was irritating. It didn't help that Professor Flitwick had pointed me out during practice. He had become even more picky then usual, stressed with the orchestra and choir (which Allegra is a wart of). This did not make him too happy, and he tended to be more snappy then usual in charms class, which just brought on more homework for all of us.

"You'll get it!" Cheyenne told me at lunch one Saturday afternoon. We had been practicing since 9:00 that morning. The ball was less then 2 weeks away, and if I didn't get it by this evening, Professor Flitwick was considering having one of the alternates replace me. I did not want to lose my position.

"I don't know. Every time I get to that one note, I somehow manage to screw it up,"

"Don't think about it so much," Cheyenne swallowed a forkful of salad, "you're getting worked up over it and trying too hard,"

"I don't want Flitwick to kick me out!" I cried. Cheyenne smiled sympathetically.

"I'm sure you'll be fine,"

I stood.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to practice some more before tonight," I told her.

I bade her goodbye and headed up to Ravenclaw tower to get my coat and flute, then took a walk outside. I needed somewhere to practice where no one would hear me and I could mess up however much I wanted to. I decided on the rock by the Black lake. Brushing snow off, I rook a seat and looked out, observing just how much had changed. The lake was completely frozen over, the sun shining dimly thought the cloudy sky. Winter was definitely at large, and I shivered slightly before taking my mitts off and starting to practice. It was terrible. The same note, over and over, I could barely hit it, let alone hold it. I sighed, my fingers freezing, and took a break to warm up my hands, slipping on my red mittens. Would I ever get this song right? I wondered with a sigh.

"Havin' some trouble are we?"

With all that had been going on, I barely had time to think about Seamus, let alone remember that the lake was one of his favorite spots. I looked up to face him and his black jacket and he grinned good naturedly.

"Um yea, I guess," I said, "the ball is two weeks away and I still haven't gotten it right,"

"You still have time," Seamus reminded me. I shook my head.

"If I don't get it tonight, then Professor Flitwick is getting an alternate to take over,"

"It can't be that bad," Seamus said, "come on," he glanced at my flute expectedly.

'We're not supposed to give away the songs we're doing. It's supposed to be a surprise for the ball,"

"Really now?" Seamus smiled, looking doubtful.

"Really," I confirmed.

"And you're not allowed to show me just a lil'bit?"

"No,"

"What if I said I could help you?"

"And what do you know about music?"

"Me grandfather knew how to play the flute, his was a bit differen't then yers but no so much. The fingerin' s not too different,"

"Really,"

"Here let me show you," he took my flute and raised it to his moth, blowing into it hard, producing no sound. I laughed.

"That's not hw you play it!"

"It's been a while," Seamus agreed.

"You have to blow over op of the opening, like this," I played a C.

"Fine, you got me, but still I understand the basics of it,"

When I didn't react he continued on, "you got me makin' a fool of meself with that thing. I think I deserve to see how the pro plays,"

"I'm nowhere near professional level," I said.

"Please," Seamus whined.

"You know I can't…,"

"Please," he pleaded on, making a face that was impossible to say no to. Oh you stupid Irishmen.

"Fine," I raised my flute to my lips and played the song, stopping when the note I always screwed up on went bad again.

'Ugh!" I groaned, "See what I mean? I can't hit that note!"

"Slow down," Seamus suggested, "yer rushin' the end and getting' all panicked 'bout it cuz you think you won't make it,"

A few tries later, I had surprised myself.

"See? What'd I tell ya?" Seamus grinned.

I blushed, "thank you,"

"Glad to help,"

"I just hope I'll be able to do it tonight," I played it again, and it went right as I had anticipated.

"You definitely have it now so you'll blow Flitwick away," said Seamus.

"I really hope so,"

"You'll be great, Trina, I know you will,"

I smiled ay my nickname.

"I have complete faith in you, and I'll be sure t' look out for ya on the night of the ball,"

Those words made my stomach twist in knots.

"I'll do my best," I told him.

That night, Professor Flitwick was marveled by my improvement. He allowed me to stay in my position and we had the best practice ever. We were ready for the ball.

"Told you you'd get it!" Cheyenne said.

And it all was thanks to my lucky charm.