A Pearl For Arrogance

Chapter 7 - Mary MacDonald

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A/N: Sorry it has taken me so long, I graduated high school over a month ago but then had HSC exams to study for. As of yesterday I am officially done! Thank you for being patient with me, I hope this chapter can hold you over until I start updating a bit more regularly.

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First year - September

Today, auditions were being held for the Hogwarts Ballet Company. The juniors would audition today, and the seniors would audition tomorrow. Mary had been looking forward to joining the company since Year 5, so she had everything packed in a pink duffle. Her ballet flats, stockings, leotards, her purple half tutu, and some training clothes. Ballet wasn't gender specific, so it wasn't surprising when a few boys turned up. It was surprising however, to find Sirius Black stretching at the barre.

"You're auditioning too?"

Sirius looked at Mary. He looked a little ashamed, looking down at his feet, shrugging as he did so. It wasn't her intention to make him feel out of place, so she quickly tried to lift his spirits.

"That's great! We already have a friend. When we both get in, maybe we can get partnered up. I already know you're amazing. I mean you probably have heaps of training, maybe you can help me."

Sirius' face immediately lifted. They spent the rest of their warm up talking about what their favourite ballet was, Mary's is Sleeping Beauty, Sirius' is Le Papillon - a french ballet Mary has never heard of before. Once the teacher entered the room everyone made their way to the barre.

"Alright everyone, let's get started please."

Mary followed everyone, turning to face the mirror with her right hand on the barre. Sirius stood a little ways behind her, she could see the concentration on his face reflecting through the mirror in front of her. Most of the Third Years wore pointe shoes, the satin covered block was beautiful. Mary could only dream of one day making it to that level.

"Starting in first, demi plie, bringing your arm up into demi seconde. Lower the arm back to bra bas as we straighten the legs. Now lengthen into the grand plie."

Using her best technique, Mary made sure her turnout was perfect, her ribs were closed and her eyeline was consistent. The warm up moved along fairly quickly, Madame DuBois was strict but gave good advice and was quick to correct mistakes.

"Turn out from the thigh, not the foot. Relax the ankles as you bend, you'll feel less resistance. Shoulders down. Eyes up, you don't need to watch yourself in the mirror, present to your audience. Where's the heel? Present it forward in the tendu devant! Anna, close your ribs, darling."

As she walked along, Mary saw her shoot an appreciative look towards Sirius. Then as she watched Mary, her eyes wandered freely across her body, taking in the movements.

"Very nice, my dear. Remember to drop that hip in the retiré."

It wasn't a lot but the praise boosted her confidence as the auditions continued on. It wasn't long before they had made their way into the centre. The First and Second Years were given a slightly different variation to that of the Third Years, as they were younger and not en pointe yet. The boys' variation was also altered to showcase their own skills.

The variation would be performed in groups of three. Mary was joined by two other First Years, Casey and Kira, while Sirius was put with another First Year and a Second Year. The one in Second Year seemed nice enough, him and Sirius seemed to be getting along quite well.

While they waited for their turn, Mary, Casey and Kira quietly practised in the corner, going over the eighteen counts as they watched other groups perform. After four groups had their go, Madame DuBois called Mary and her new friends forward. Kira placed herself centre forward, as Casey and Mary positioned themselves slightly behind her on either side.