Submitted for The Houses Competition Forum - Round 8

House: Ravenclaw

Subject: Prefect

Category: Drabble

Prompt: [Word] Theatre

Word count: 658

Warnings: Muggle AU

For Amelia, who believes in me like Pansy believes in Hermione

even doubt can be delicious

Hermione was a theatre nerd. She loved everything about it: the costumes, the stage, the plays, the music…everything was made to entrance the public, and Hermione was in awe of it all.

But although she loved the theatre world, Hermione never thought she was going to be able to join it. It was a dream, a feasible one at best, something that she never thought was possible, more than as an audience.

But she didn't count on her best friend being so pushy with her.

"I can't do it! I don't know why you said I could, because I can't!" Hermione was panicking and she didn't even know why. "Please, Pansy, don't make me do it!"

"Why do you think I wouldn't make you do it? I'm the one who signed you up for it," Pansy said, pushing Hermione towards the front door. "No take-backsies now, you know how it goes."

"But it was just a joke—I don't really want to audition for the role of Jenna," Hermione whined, trying to plant her feet hard, but her friend wasn't having it, as she continued pushing her forward.

Ever since they were little girls, Pansy had always forced Hermione to step out of her comfort zone and do things she couldn't even dream of doing.

"Mione, what are you worried about?" Pansy stopped at the front of the theatre and looked at her. "We always talked about how one day, you would try out for a role and I would be in the audience cheering you on and telling everyone that was my friend up there on the stage."

Hermione stopped and looked at the theatre in front of her. It was intimidating to have to go show someone what your desires are. She never was so scared to step inside a place where she was the happiest; being inside theatre made her happy, but auditioning? It scared her.

It was true she always wanted to take part in a play—and Waitress was one of her favourite musicals—but Hermione feared it wasn't for her.

"What if," she started, in a small voice, "they take a look at me and say that I'm not fit for this world? Or if they say I suck?"

Pansy looked at Hermione, and she hated how her best friend could see right into her soul and know what she was thinking and feeling without her needing to say anything.

"You won't suck. You have been going to singing lessons since we were five, and I know you can hold a tone, not to mention you know all the lyrics for all the songs, and you probably know the lines from the three times you watched it live. Not to mention all the bootlegs you find online."

Hermione felt herself blushing, knowing that Pansy was right. But even though she was a theatre geek, who knew all about the lyrics and the book, she still wasn't sure if she should do it or not.

"Hermione, I can see your thoughts from here." Pansy put her hands on Hermione's shoulders. "I know you're scared, but isn't fear something good? Isn't fear that makes us go after what we want?"

"I hate when you're right," Hermione mumbled under her breath, smiling at Pansy, who smirked back. Taking a deep breath, Hermione turned to the theatre door. "Alright, let's do it."

"And remember, honey, even doubt can be delicious," Pansy sang.

"Did you just quote 'what baking can do' to me?" Hermione asked, her mouth agape.

"You listen to it so many times, so I learnt a lyric or two." Pansy shrugged before shoving Hermione through the theatre doors.

She didn't know what was going to happen in the audition, but one thing Hermione was certain of: Pansy would be there, watching her and cheering her on in whatever she decided to do.

Hermione breathed out her tension and nodded. "Let's go, I'm ready to bake some pies."