If I May Be So Bold (A Harry Potter Universe Fanfiction)

20.

November 2034

ELLA

"I'm gonna throw up," Ella said to her friends as they climbed the spiraling staircase that led to the tower where the choir room was located.

Every few feet, a panel of light sparkled in through stained glass windows.

"Why? You're nervous you won't get it?" Iris asked.

"No," Ella said, looking at her like she was crazy. "I'm scared I will. Then I'll actually have to do it."

"You've already done it once," Kyrie reasoned.

"I think I blacked out."

"Well, I can tell you it didn't sound that way," said Iris. "So if you can sing that well while unconscious, I don't think you have anything to worry about."

"What we actually need to panic about," Kyrie said, "is whether I'm ever going to remember that one part of God Rest Ye Merry Hippogriffs with the ahhs. I don't know how anyone remembers anything when you don't even have words to latch onto."

"We've got a month and a half," Iris said. "I believe in us!"

And then they tried to practice the part the rest of the way up the stairs but they were out of breath from climbing and talking and it wasn't exactly their best work.

"You sound--" Iris said, positively cackling.

"--like you're doing—"

She clutched at a stitch in her side and sucked in a deep breath through her teeth.

"An impression of the Bloody Baron!"

At that very moment, the Fat Friar drifted up through the floor in front of them. "I'll tell him you said so," he said jovially.

And then all three of the girls lost it. Ella laughed so hard she forgot to be nervous for a few minutes.

Logan was already in his seat by the time they arrived in the choir room.

It was the first time she had seen him since he'd passed her that note after her audition, except in a History of Magic. He'd smiled at her and they'd said a quick hello, but they hadn't had a chance to actually talk.

"Hi," she said, the residual smile still on her face.

"You look like you've just received very good news. You wouldn't have happened to have had a tip-off about your audition results would you?"

"Oh gosh, don't remind me," said Ella. That sobered up her smile real quick. She tried to explain the story of the Fat Friar's line, but it wasn't as funny when you weren't there.

Logan still chuckled though. "I'd love to be there when that exchange goes down."

"Do you see the Bloody Baron much?" she asked, mostly to distract herself.

Logan shook his head. "Rarely, why?"

She shrugged. "The Fat Friar hangs around our common room a bunch. He's very social."

"I think it's for the best that the Baron isn't around," said Logan. "He gives me the creeps."

Ella laughed.

"Well, why don't we get started," said Professor Whitby, interrupting their conversation. "I'm sure you're all dying to know who'll be singing the solos."

There was a general murmur of consensus at this, but Ella shook her head. Her genuine terror flooded back through her. Logan bumped her with his elbow and gave her a knowing look.