"You've got to be joking," Grace whispered as she glared at Pansy Parkinson, who was standing with the other Slytherins in their year, warming up her voice.

"Just ignore her," Hermione muttered as they tried to walk to another side of the room unnoticed, but didn't succeed.

"What areyoudoing here, Little Black?" Pansy Parkinson sneered, glaring over at her. "The Frog Choir auditions are for people withtalent, and seeing as your own mother says you have none," she said, and the other Slytherins stated laughing. Grace's face flushed from embarrassment and anger. "I wouldn't waste my time if I were you, Little Black."

"Well, I suppose it's good that the choice isn't up to you," Grace sneered at her. "Professor Flitwickpersonallycame to me and asked me to audition, and the choiceisultimately his, and your daddy's money won't be able to help you here." Pansy's mouth fell open and she went to retort but Grace held her head up high and walked away, not letting the pug get the last word.

"Bloody hell," Ron whispered in amazement, looking at his cousin in awe. "You can be really amazing, you know that?"

"Sure," Grace nodded, and even though she held her head up high, her hands were now cold and trembling from anxiety. She looked around the music room and gulped at the amount of people who were there. It was hard to say who was there to audition, and who was there for support. There were a lot of Ravenclaws, only a handful of Hufflepuffs, and their entire year of Slytherins were also present. There were also all the current choir students, who were sitting and conversing with one another on the risers, in the back of the room. "There's so many people here…"

"Not all of them are auditioning, Grace," Hermione assured her as she sat down on a chair to the right of the room.

"I don't know, Hermione," Ron started, looking around them. "Fred and George said there hasn't been auditions for the Frog Choir since their first year."

"Thanks, Ron," Grace mumbled as she took a seat between Harry and Neville.

"Hey," Harry whispered, leaning closer to her and grabbing her trembling hand. "You're going to do great, and you're going to get in. I know you will."

"How can you be so sure?" She asked, turning to him. Harry didn't know, not for sure, but he believed she would. Then he thought about her tea leaves from breakfast and squeezed her hand.

"Because I am," he answered with a shrug.

"Alright, alright," Professor Flitwick announced as he entered the room. "Everyone who is auditioning, please gather round here," he called, motioning to the spot in front of the piano. "Everyone who isnot, please find a seat on either side of the room. I want to thank you for wanting to come and support your friends, but I ask that you keep any talking to a minimum. It may distract our singers." Grace took a deep breath as she stood up. Harry gave her hand one more squeeze before she let go and headed to where a handful of students were already gathered.

There were three Ravenclaw girls, and two Ravencalw boys, both were older than her. There was also an older boy and girl from Hufflepuff, as well as Justin Finch-Fletchley. Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode and Blaise Zabini were the only Slytherins. Grace, unfortunately, was the only Gryffindor. The thought nerved her, she hoped that there might have been at least one or two more. Grace decided to walk to Justin, as he was the only familiar and friendly face in the group.

"Hello, Grace," he nodded at her and she smiled shyly at him. "I didn't know you liked to sing."

"Yeah, a little," she shrugged.

"I used to be apart of my primary school's choir," Justin told her proudly, and she nodded at him awkwardly. "I liked it a lot, and was excited to see that Hogwarts also had a choir as well. Of course it's been filled the last two years, but I couldn't pass up the chance to audition this year, now could I?" He asked and Grace shook her head. She wasn't the biggest fan of Justin, he seemed a little… uppity for her liking, but he was nice enough and she'd rather stand with him than by herself. "Oh, look, more people are arriving," Jusin nodded to the door.

Grace turned and saw that a few more people were entering the room, most were splitting off to sit on the sidelines, and few came to where they were. Grace sighed in relief when she saw Julie Peterson and Andrew Nimbleston, they were two years older than her, but they were familiar faces.

"I'm going to stand with my house," Grace nodded to the other two students.

"Understandable," Justin nodded, giving her a polite smile. "Good luck, Grace."

"You too, Justin," she gave him an awkward wave and went to stand with Julie and Andrew.

"Welcome, welcome," Professor Flitwick smiled at them. "Now that I'm sure we're all present, I'm going to separate you all. My young ladies, please stand to the left," Professor Flitwick motioned to the side that Grace was standing. "My young men, please stand to the right," at his instruction, everyone had split. Grace felt awkward standing next to Julie and an older Ravenclaw girl. "I will cast a charm, that will look like it's floating above each of you, this is to track your key and pitch, as we begin the scales, and will help me see where your individual range is so I know where to put you."

"Ladies, let's start with you," he announced as he moved to the piano.

The scale audition went smoother than Grace thought and was surprised at her own range. She cringed when she tried to hit a note that was far too high and her voice cracked. She heard Pansy and Millicent giggle, but Grace ignored them. They couldn't even get as high as she could without being horribly off key. The boys scale auditions went faster, as they don't have as wide of a range as the girls did.

"Well done!" Professor Flitwick clapped, and Grace felt her cheeks flushed again. "Now for the solo auditions. I'll have each of you take a seat, and call you up one by one. First, Miss Edegecombe, let's start with you." Grace quickly went to previous seat between Harry and Neville. She smiled when she saw Remus toward the back of the room with the other teachers who had decided to watch. He gave her a small smile of encouragement and she instantly felt better as she took her seat.

"Bloody hell, no offense, but that was dreadfully boring," Ron whispered behind her and she smiled.

"Just a tad," she replied back.

Grace tried to relax in the chair as she listened to Marietta Edgecombe, but her hands were still shaking and her fingers felt ice cold, even under the sleeves of her jumper.

The solo auditions continued, and with each person who went up, the more nervous she became. Each person was talented, and Grace's insecurity only grew as her knee started bouncing from nerves. She didn't think she could do this.

"Miss Bulstrode," Professor Flitwick announced, and the Slytherins in the room cheered.

"Cow," Hermione hissed under her breath, and Grace held back a snort.

Millicent Bulstrode wasn'tterrible, her voice was on the deeper and raspier side, but it wasn't something that stood out. She wasn't sure what song Millicent was singing, she was sure it was some old, classic, Latin piece. Whatever it was, Grace was thankful when it was over.

"Miss Parkinson," Flitwick called and every Gryffindor that was sitting in the room quietly groaned, and Grace's face curled in distaste while the Slytherin's cheered louder.

Pansy cleared her throat, then began. Grace hated to admit it, but she was good. She was really good, and it made her stomach churn. Pansy's voice was more of a classic voice, that was traditionally heard in choirs, and whatever Latin piece she was singing only complimented her voice. Grace slumped in her seat, her leg bouncing uncontrollably and she had to cross her arms over her chest to keep her hands from shaking.

"You're going to be great," Harry whispered in her ear, putting his hand on her knee to keep it from bouncing. "Don't let Parkinson think she's better than you-"

"But sheis," Grace interrupted, bringing her hand to her lip and biting the skin around her finger nails.

"No, she isn't," he replied, taking her hand from her lips and squeezed it. "You'rebetter. Your light above your head stayed green the longest," he told her.

"Really?" She asked, turning to him and he nodded. Her lips spread into a small smile and she sat up a little straighter in her seat.

When Pansy had finished, there were applause, obviously from the Slytherins, but also from some from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Pansy turned her attention to Grace, giving her a smirk from across the room that clearly said 'I'm far better than you' as she sat down.

"Miss Black!" Flitwick called and Grace took a deep breath as she stood up. All the Gryffindor's in the room clapped and cheered loudly, and she heard Fred and George shout: "Let's go Gracie!" Her cheeks burned, but she couldn't stop the smile forming on her face as she glanced over her shoulder and saw all her cousins, and her friends clapping. When she stood in front of Professor Flitwick, the cheering died. "Whenever you're ready, Miss Black," he told her and she nodded, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

"Of all the money that e'er I had.

I spent it in good company,"Grace started, and the room went silent.

"And all the harm that I've ever done

Alas it was to none but me.

And all I've done for want of wit

To mem'ry now I can't recall…

So fill to me the parting glass

Good night and joy be to you all…" She opened her eyes, and found Remus. He was smiling proudly at her, and nodded. She couldn't help the smile that started to spread as she continued.

"She's really good," Hermione whispered under her breath.

"Yeah," Harry replied breathlessly, as he watched her. He knew that song, it was a song that they had to sing in their music class in primary school.

"Of all the comrades that e'er I had

They're sorry for my going away.

And all the sweethearts that e'er I had

They'd wish me one more day to stay,

But since it falls unto my lot

That I should rise and you should not…

I gently rise and softly call

Good night and joy be to you all…"

Harry couldn't help but smile as he continued to watch her. He had heard her sing, quietly and usually to herself, and when they were in primary school… but he had never heard hersinglike this before. Her voice was soft, yet powerful and compelling. He felt the hair on the back of his neck stand and he smiled wider. He knew she was going to get it, and if she didn't, well… He was going to join Neville in begging Flitwick until he does.

"A man may drink and not be drunk.

A man may fight and not be slain.

A man may court a pretty girl

And perhaps be welcomed back again.

But since it has so ought to be

By a time to rise and a time to fall…

Come to me the parting glass…

Good night and joy be with you all"She paused, and took a final breath.

"Good night…and joy be with you all…" She finished, her voice fading.

Once she was finished, there were applause from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, but nothing near as loud and obnoxious as the applause and cheers that came from the Gryffindor's. Grace's cheeks burned as she looked down, letting her hair fall over her face.

"Splendid, Miss Black, thank you," Flitwick told her and she gave him a tight lipped smile before rushing back to her seat.

She didn't hear who Flitwick called next as she felt numerous arms wrap around her at different times, but she knew who each person was. First it was Ron, who always gave her quick hugs. Then it was Hermione, who squeezed so hard out of pride for her that she felt like her rib cage was going to crack. Then it was Fred and George, who instead of hugging her, disheveled her hair. Neville gave her an awkward side hug, but it was warm and full of pride all the same. Then lastly, was Harry, who pulled her into a side hug and squeezed her shoulder.

It was near Lunchtime when Professor Flitwick gathered everyone's attention again. "After careful deliberation," he started, "I have chosen the new members of the Hogwarts Frog Choir. It wasn't easy, as everyone was very talented; however, I can only have four of you," he continued. Grace frowned. She thought there would be more spots available, and now her anxiety was eating her up inside. "I would like to welcome Miss Marietta Edgecombe, Mr. Finch-Fletchley," Everyone began clapping politely, and Grace glowered at Pansy as she sat straighter in her seat waiting for her name to be called. "Mr. Zabini, and Miss Black – " Grace blinked in surprise, her mouth falling open as she looked at Professor Flitwick. She glanced over at Pansy and saw the look of absolute disgust and horror on her face.

"Congratulations to the four of you, practices will take place on Sunday's, and another day during the week to be determined once Quidditch practice schedules have been placed," he informed them. Grace took that as a signal to be released. Good, she was starving.

She was thankful that her obnoxious cousins waited until they were out in the corridor before exploding into cheers. She shrieked when she felt the twins lifted her up on their shoulders, chanting: "Gracie!" Her cheeks burned from embarrassment; she thought Fred and George were being over dramatic in their congratulatory cheering, but the look on Pansy Parkinson's face made the obnoxious antics well worth the embarrassment.