(A/N: Hello, dear readers. Sorry I couldn't update as fast as I wanted to. I was really busy with school and all that jazz. I had a really good week at school and I thought "Hey, why not spread some joy to my readers." My choir director picked me to be the Vice President/Secretary/Treasurer of my choir. Anyway, I decided to split the concert into a few parts. Remember to review, favorite, and follow. Enjoy! ^_^)
Chapter 5: The Concert
After a few weeks, the choirs finished choreographing all of their songs and they commenced rehearsals. Before they knew it, the concert was approaching fast.
On the night of the concert, all the choir members sat in the seats of the performing arts center waiting for the arrival of their director. The curtains were colored bright red. The front of the stage was transformed into a pit where the band will be playing and the director will be conducting. Above the pit was a net to prevent someone from falling to their death while on stage. On either side of the stage were stairs that led down into the audience. The house (house is referred to as the place where the audience sits.) was lit up and the different choirs were carrying their own conversations.
"Alright people, this is not a practice run. This is shit is real. Just remember everything you have learned and this night should be fine. Do your best," the choir director sang out. "Right now we'll do a quick sound check for each of the choirs. First, I'll need the men from the intermediate choir to go on stage."
As the boys made their way to the stage, they winked at the girls sitting down in the front row, which caused them to break out in giggles. Other boys walked slowly on stage and quickly nodded their head upwards and raised their eyebrows to make the girls swoon.
Hermione sat in her seat in between Giselle and Rachel trying to contain her excitement. She couldn't wait to see Harry, Ron, Ginny, and all the Weasleys. One part of the witch was excited while the other half was nervous beyond belief. She never had to perform in front of anyone in her life. The only performance she ever had to give was performing spells in front of the class or getting perfect scores on all of her tests. It dawned on her that her closest friends would finally see her outside of her usual setting. Suddenly, Hermione's face turned a slightly green.
Giselle turned Hermione to comment on the boy's set, but as soon as she saw her face, she showed deep concern. "Hey, 'Mione, are you feeling okay," asked Giselle, looking at Hermione's green face. Hermione nodded in response and flashed a nervous smile. Giselle gently pressed the back of her hand gently across Hermione's forehead. "You're sweating a bit. Are you sure you're alright?"
"Yeah. I'm just nervous because I've never had to do anything like this in front of a large crowd. I just don't want to screw everything up," the bookworm confessed, staring wide-eyed at Giselle. "What if I do end up messing up and making a fool of myself? What if—"
Giselle placed her hands on each of Hermione's shoulders in order to prevent any more hysterics. "Oi, calm youself, Granger. Just relax and don't think about it. If you keep thinking about fucking up it will happen. So just breathe, and relax."
Giselle's concern for Hermione relaxed her a little and Giselle could see the natural color slowly return to the witch's face. "Thanks, Giselle. You're the best," she gushed.
"Okay, that'll be enough for the boys. Now I would like the intermediate ladies to take the stage," boomed the choir director.
"Hey look, there are a few seats," Ginny pointed out. She led the group to the center aisle. There were four empty seats at the edge of the third row and another four empty seats at the edge of the fifth row of the house. Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Fred took the third-row seats while Molly, Arthur, George, and Bill took the other seats.
A nearby usher offered the group programs. They each took a program and thanked the usher. The usher smiled and walked away.
Ron sat in his seat moaning and groaning while he held his hungry stomach. He turned to his mom and asked, "When can we eat, Mum? I'm starving."
Molly Weasley shook her head in disapproval at her son's constant need to eat. "We ate before we left, Ronald," she informed, swatting Ron's shoulder.
"Ow, Mum, that hurt," Ron blubbered, rubbing his shoulder.
"If you keep eating like you do Fred and George will have to display you in their joke shop," cried Arthur while grinning from ear to ear.
Fred and George witnessed the exchange between their mother and Ron and they couldn't help but laugh at their little brother.
"Bloody hell right he is," George cheered.
"But first we'd probably test some new products on you. By then you wouldn't be able to run away," joked Fred, turning around and high-fiving his twin.
"Leave me out of your truculent schemes, guys," insisted Ron, looking helpless and pained.
"Oh look, George, Ronnikins swallowed a dictionary," Fred shouted so that only the group could hear.
Harry, Ginny, and Bill sat in their seats laughing loud enough to earn them disrespectful glares from the strangers around them.
"Shove it, the lot o' ya," Ron miffed, looking down at his program hoping to hide his red face.
It was 6:50 in the evening when Draco and Blaise finally arrived.
"All the center seats in the front are gone. Is the middle okay," asked Blaise with his eyebrows raised.
"Sure. That's fine," answered Draco nonchalantly. He walked with Blaise to the middle of the eighth row in the center aisle. They received programs from the nearest usher and sat down. "Hey, do you know how many groups there are in the program?"
Blaise looked down at the pamphlet and answered, "Five groups. One beginning group, two intermediate groups, and two advanced groups."
Draco scoffed, not believing that there could be that many choirs. As he looked at the pamphlet himself his eyes dilated to a width that has never been reached. "Blimey, that's way too many groups to handle. How hell does the director manage?"
"I don't know. Maybe different times on different days. Giselle tells me that the groups are amazing nonetheless."
"We'll see about that. So what happened with you and Charlotte," whispered Draco with a mischievous smirk.
"Dray, you ask like you don't know me at all. I fucked her senseless and gave her a mind-blowing orgasm. And she did not disappoint," he laughed waggling his eyebrows.
Draco high-fived his best mate and questioned him further. "So are you guys still continuing your 'conquests?'"
"Not anymore. She went back to California with Amy. She gave me her address so we can write. Amy said hello by the way," said Blaise.
Draco was glad to hear from Amy, even though it was just a plain greeting. He would have to ask Blaise for the address later so he can write to her. "If you get a chance tell her I said hello."
All of a sudden, the house lights dimmed and the choir director walked on stage with a spotlight shining on her. She held a microphone and spoke into it. "Hello, everyone. Thank you for coming. The groups have worked hard these past few weeks and I couldn't have asked for a better group of individuals to work with. We hope you enjoy this performance. So sit back and relax because you don't want to miss any of this," announced the director. The audience applauded the director and she smiled in response. Then she made her way down the stairs at the side of the stage and into the pit, while the lights on stage dimmed.
The first group to perform was the advanced co-ed choir. The girls wore red, sweetheart neckline dresses with thin straps running from the front of the dress to the back. The dresses had an elegant bow done at the front of the waist on the left side. It flared out from the waist and ended just above the knees. The top of their dresses had subtle sparkles which can shine brightly under very bright lights. The girls wore tights that matched their skin tone an on their feet, the girls wore shiny, black character shoes. All of the girls wore their hair down to accentuate the flare of the dress. The boys wore black suits with red ties and ballroom dancing shoes. In the darkness of the stage, the singers started setting up for their upcoming songs. The audience could see that there were twenty-four members of the choir. Two rows of twelve lined the stage with the second row in widows with the first row. The members of the choir breathed in and exhaled heavily. The audience can see their shoulders move up and down from their breathing. The lights and music came on at the same time and the choir members flashed smiles that can be seen from the very back of the performing arts center. The girls' dresses shined under the stage lights.
On the choir director's command, the band played the intro to the song and the choir started moving to the beat of the music. Each member paired up to partake in partner dancing. The boys held their partner's waists while the girls gently placed their hands on one of their partner's shoulders. With the remaining hands, they clasped each other's hands, creating a ballroom dance position.
Well, shake it up, baby, now
(Shake it up, baby)
Twist and shout
(Twist and shout)
The tenors and basses split into two distinct parts while all the girls sang the echo in unison, however, they switched the singing parts after every verse. Each partnership chassed towards the audience and then moved their right leg back while still holding onto one another. Within one beat, the girls moved in front of the boys and turned their heads to look them in the eyes. The boys placed their hands on their partner's hips. Every other boy in each row lifted the girls effortlessly and the rest lifted their partners on the last echo. As the girls moved, the sparkles on their dresses shined brighter.
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now
(Come on baby)
Come on and work it on out
(Work it on out)
The partners broke apart and dragged their feet and snapped their fingers as they moved backward. Then, the entire group freestyled until the end of the verse.
Well, work it on out, honey
(Work it on out)
You know you look so good
(Look so good)
A circle was formed in order of boy-girl-boy-girl and the choir stared moving anti-clockwise. Next, the singers in the back of the circle fanned out, thus forming a dome shape while all of them pointed at the audience.
You know you got me goin', now
(Got me goin')
Just like I knew you would
(Like I knew you would)
While still in a dome, the boys and girls turned to face one another. With one hand, the girls grabbed a boy's tie and turned back around, without hurting them. While still holding the tie, the girls popped up one knee and switched off with the other. Meanwhile, the boys stood there and painted goofy expressions on their faces while adding individual motions, earning them a few laughs from the audience.
Well, shake it up, baby, now
(Shake it up, baby)
Twist and shout
(Twist and shout)
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now
(Come on baby)
Come on and work it on out
(Work it on out)
The group repeated the steps at the beginning of the song with a partner while still forming a dome.
You know you twist your little girl
(Twist your little girl)
You know you twist so fine
(Twist so fine)
The partners formed again and the boys twirled their partners. When the girls ceased twirling, they moved their hips from side-to-side at the same time as the boys moved slightly away and did a criss-cross with their hands on their knees.
Come on and twist a little closer, now
(Twist a little closer)
And let me know that you're mine
(Let me know you're mine)
The pairs moved closer and assumed the ballroom position. Each pair managed to do two fast box steps in sync. Looking at the audience, the pairs pulled away from each other while holding onto their partner's hands. When they came back together, the pairs formed intimate, but innocent and cute poses.
Well, shake it up, baby, now
(Shake it up, baby)
Twist and shout
(Twist and shout)
The choir members split up again and took their time walking to their new spots. As they transitioned, they step-touch and snapped their fingers. They formed two clumps: one for the girls and another for the boys.
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now
(Come on baby)
Come on and work it on out
(Work it on out)
The girls step-touched on the left then the right and then they grapevined in different directions. The boys box-stepped to the left then the right. Shortly after, both clumps waved their arms to the right then left and moved gradually down while they swiveled their feet.
You know you twist your little girl
(Twist your little girl)
You know you twist so fine
(Twist so fine)
The ladies did a pas de bourreé turn and a fan-kick while the guys did flick kicks. Shortly after, the clumps made were formed one big clump and made a ripple starting from the front.
Come on and twist a little closer, now
(Twist a little closer)
And let me know that you're mine
(Let me know you're mine)
The ripple made its way from the back to the front. The guys knelt down on one knee then they let the girls sit on their knees.
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now
(Shake it up baby)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now
(Shake it up baby)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, baby, now
(Shake it up baby)
The choir stayed stationary while singing the last few verses. At the end of the song, the choir members hit their own individual poses, creating different body shapes. Roars erupted from the audience, indicating that they liked the song.
Harry and the Weasley's faces contorted into expressions that read something along the lines of huh, not bad.
"If the rest of the songs are as good as this one I'm probably never gonna want to leave," exclaimed Ginny, still clapping for the advanced choir.
Draco smiled in his seat, glad that the choir director chose one of his favorite songs. "You know what, I'm glad you persuaded me to come, Blaise," Draco stated.
"No problem, Dray. I knew you'd like the song selections," piped Blaise.
Draco raised a fist towards Blaise and they fist bumped. The applaise gradually died down and the advanced choir exited to stage left.
Hermione watched from backstage as the advanced choir performed flawlessly. She was looking down at her picture when an unpleasant feeling began to fester inside her stomach. Her nervous feeling came back, but before she could bail at the last minute the audience applauded and the advanced choir exited.
There's no turning back, she mentally cautioned. The Gryffindor witch took a deep breath and waited. Hermione and the girls from her choir waited until the music started to enter from stage right. Some of her fellow members carried black choral boxes while others carried pictures. She moved to her position behind a box and waited for the music to start.
Hermione relaxed for a few seconds, letting herself decompress. The sound of the music startled her, for she hurried onto the stage carrying her frame. Members of her choir did the same while carrying their props. The lights shone in her face and she was forced to squint. But when her eyes properly adjusted she could see a bevy of red hair smiling and waving at her.
Harry pointed in Hermione's direction and indicated, "Hey, look there's Hermione." The Weasleys tore their attention away from the entire group and focused on their favorite bookworm.
Draco looked at a girl that he thought resembled Hermione. The blond squinted and moved forward in his seat. This action did not go unnoticed by Blaise.
"Dray, what are you doing?"
"I thought I saw… oh never mind," Draco dismissed, waving his hand as if a fly was buzzing aroud.
Hermione looked at the Weasleys and beamed because she was not allowed to wave. She moved to the front row near stage right.
The dresses the choir was wearing blue dresses that shined with the bright, cornea-irritating stage lights. The neckline rested just below the clavicle and in the middle was a very big sequin. Below the large sequin was a circle that exposed the very top of the sternum without showing cleavage. From the hips, the dress flared out and halted just above the knees. At the bottom of the dress, the skirt had ruffles. Like the group before them, the girls wore tights, but they wore tan character shoes. The girls curled their hair to imitate the unity of a show choir.
The choir made three lines of about ten with the middle line in widows with the front and back lines. The girls with boxes set them down and took their position behind them. The girls with frames handed a frame to anyone who didn't have one. When that was done, the girls took their positions around any box. Some girls sat in front of a box, while a pair of girls sat on the box. Before the song started the girls made sure the face of the frame was facing them. Hermione and Rachel sat on the box and Giselle stood behind the box.
I don't know what it is that makes me love you so
I only know I never want to let you go
'Cause you've started something
Oh, can't you see?
That ever since we met
You've had a hold on me
It happens to be true
I only want to be with you
The girls brought the frame close to their faces and tilted their heads in both directions. Then they stretched their arms outward, moving their frame away from them and brought it back. The frames they were holding made a clockwise rotation in front of them. Afterwards, they brought the picture into their left arms and pointed their fingers to it as if they were talking to it. The arm that wasn't holding the picture circled in a clockwise motion then they took the frame and hugged it tightly. Having no particular dance moves, the girls swayed to the music. When that was done, the girls flexed their arms forward so they can look at the gorgeous man in the picture.
It doesn't matter where you go or what you do
I want to spend each moment of the day with you
Oh, look what has happened with just one kiss
I never knew that I could be in love like this
It's crazy but it's true
I only want to be with you
The choir repeated the previous motions they performed.
You stopped and smiled at me
And asked if I'd care to dance
I fell into your open arms
And I didn't stand a chance
Now listen honey
I just want to be beside you everywhere
As long as we're together, honey, I don't care
'Cause you've started something
Oh, can't you see?
That ever since we met
You've had a hold on me
No matter what you do
I only want to be with you
The girls sitting in front of the box stood up followed by the girls sitting on top of the box. Hermione and Rachel stood up from the box and Giselle stepped onto the box.
Blaise looked at the performance with interest. After scanning the front row a few times, he could not find his stepsister. He scanned the front row one more time and finally spotted Giselle. "Hey Draco, there's Giselle," announced Blaise. Draco looked to where his best friend was pointing and nodded in acknowledgment. He turned his attention back to the girl that looked like Hermione, watching her with interest. No, that couldn't be her, he thought. Draco kept turning his eyes elsewhere, but after some time he would find himself staring at her again. He admired the way she smiled when she sang and how beautiful she looked. The blond wizard kept debating whether the girl was Hermione or not.
The entire choir lifted their pictures up towards the right while looking into the man's eyes. Different sides of the stage broke apart from their position starting from the middle and continuing with the left and right. The girls hit different poses using different body facings while eying their man candy in the frame. Each girl, minus the girls on the boxes, step-touch to right then to the left. The girls that were on the floor box stepped while circling their picture clockwise again, however, the girls on boxes just moved their picture in a circle. The girls repeated this motion. Once again, the girls hit poses in different directions while looking at the picture. The girls hugged the picture and balled changed as they flexed their arms forward.
Oh, oh, you stopped and you smiled at me
And asked if I'd care to dance
I fell into your open arms
And I didn't stand a chance
Now hear me tell you
I just want to be beside you everywhere
As long as we're together, honey, I don't care
'Cause you've started something
Oh, can't you see?
That ever since we met
You've had a hold on me
No matter what you do
I only want to be with you
I said no matter, no matter what you do
I only want to be with you
The girls repeated the motions, surprised that the audience did not look bored yet. Huh, I guess Marc was right, confirmed Hermione. The girls on the floor skipped around the box until the song came to an end. Finally, the time came to reveal the identity of the men the girls were serenading. The girls turned their frames and the beautiful face of Ryan Gosling was present on each of the frames, facing the audience. The girls in the audience screamed at the top of their lungs, but the boys roared with laughter.
"What the fuck," hollered a random boy from the audience.
Hermione, Giselle, and Rachel laughed at the audience's reaction. The witch looked towards the Weasley's and tried to contain her laughter.
Ron looked at Hermione and mouthed a 'good job' to her. He clapped but was interrupted by Fred.
"Oi, Ron, what's your boyfriend doing on all the frames? Sounds like someone has been naughty," teased Fred.
All of the Weasleys laughed at the badinage occurring. Ron's ears turned red as he seethed, "Shove off, Fred."
Harry put his hand on his ginger friend's shoulder in an attempt to calm him down. "Calm down, Ron. You know he's just kidding," he reasoned.
Ron's ears finally returned to their normal state and nodded. He faced the stage and watched as Hermione's group exited the stage, taking the frames and boxes with them.
Draco looked at Ryan Gosling's face with distaste. He turned to Blaise and grumbled, "Why did they put that in the frame? He's such a tool!"
Blaise laughed. "You just jealous because you're not the prettiest blond in the room anymore," snickered Blaise, clapping for the girls. "WOOO YEAH, GISELLE!"
Draco rolled his eyes and watched the girls exit the stage.