"Thanks for letting me stay here." Aidy said, smiling at Mrs. Granger. The woman smiled down at her.
"Oh, it isn't a problem. it's only for the night." Aidy was glad even for just the night; She'd come home from Diagon Alley in a rush, trying to outwit Rita Skeeter, who was attempting to break into Gemma's apartment. Aidy couldn't allow her to do that; what if she found the studio?
Aidy had opened the door and then slammed it shut again, having discovered Gemma and Jeremy in a state of semi-undress. After covering her eyes, Aidy rushed to her room, trying to unsee what she'd seen. Gemma had entered the room a few moments later, her face a brilliant tomato red, and had willingly allowed Aidy to stay the next night with Hermione in exchange for Aidy to never speak of what she'd seen to anyone. As if Aidy would ever; she wanted to forget it herself!
So, thus, Aidy and her best friend were up in Hermione's room, reading their course books.
"I can't believe the nerve of Malfoy to make fun of Harry like that." Aidy mused, speaking of Draco in Flourish and Blotts several days prior. "He knows that as soon as we get on school grounds, I can give him as much detention as I want."
"I know. Aidy. I think he might have something on you, though. Be careful with him this year." Hermione said. Aidy chuckled.
"What on earth could he have on me?" Hermione looked at her gravely.
"Aidy, you know you aren't just the Hogwarts potions mistress. You practically live up in the ballet studio." Aidy sighed; Hermione was right. Every day, almost from the time she came to Hogwarts, Aidy had spent several hours a day in the studio after classes, working on her feet, her posture, her fluidity. Gemma had been impressed. In addition, Aidy worked on her strength, her stamina, and her flexibility. She could could fall into a split and not feel a thing. she could do numerous turns in a single movement, and in dance shoes she felt like a fairy.
Feeling the need to work her flexibility, Aidy fell into a full split, stretching her back out. She felt the vertebrae realign as she leaned back; a small souvenir from her breaking her back during her fight with Quirrell was frequent back issues, her vertebrae almost never perfectly aligned. There was a huge popping sound, and Hermione winced.
"Geez, Aidy. Are you okay?" Aidy smiled, standing up and slipping on her point shoes. she'd needed to pop her back.
"I'm fine, Hermione." Aidy pulled her leg up, leaning her head back to touch her toes while up en pointe.
"I did some reading on ballet, and apparently most girls can't dance up on their toes until they're our age. You started years ago." She said, looking suspiciously at Aidy's feet. Their shape was classic for a ballerina.
"They decided that I was ready early. I've been working as hard as I could. I've fallen so many times." Aidy said, doing a quick turn. Hermione pursed her lips.
"I've heard that it can be dangerous for dancers."
"Mum took me to St. Mungo's. They said I was defiantly mature enough physically for pointe work."
"There's a dance hall down the street. Mum and dad wanted to go, are you interested?" Hermione said. Aidy thought about it.
"There'll only be muggles there, right?"
"I would assume." Aidy grinned, reaching into her bag and pulling out an asymmetrical blue dress, with bands of silver streaked down it.
"Count me in!"
~*~*~
"This is beautiful!" Aidy cried, looking at the high ceilings and posh interior of the hall. Aidy quickly removed the small mink stole she had brought with her. Her dress had a halter top and a plastic band around the back to keep it on during vigorous dancing. The pattern on the dress almost made it look like the hem was crying silver tears. Aidy loved this dress; it was pretty, comfortable, and she could dance in it.
